Letter to John Kerry, Secretary of State - Meriam Yahia Ibrahim

Letter

We request that the United States call for the immediate and unconditional release of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, a 27-year-old woman imprisoned and awaiting execution in Sudan. Ms. Ibrahim is the wife of U.S. citizen Daniel Wani. They have two children. Their son, Martin, has been imprisoned with Ms. Ibrahim since February. Their daughter was born last week in prison, where she is to remain until her mother is executed.

On May 11, 2014, a Sudan court sentenced Ms. Ibrahim to death for being a Christian. Under Sharia law, she is required to be Muslim since she is the child of a Muslim father. This inhumane interpretation of law refuses to recognize that Ms. Ibrahim's father abandoned her when she was young and that she was never reared in a Muslim household.

Furthermore, Islamic law does not recognize Ms. Ibrahim's marriage to a Christian or the children conceived in such marriage. Thus, Ms. Ibrahim also has been found guilty of adultery and sentenced to 100 lashes for her marriage to Mr. Wani. It is reported that Ms. Ibrahim is already being beaten in jail and that the government has refused to provide health care.

This blatant disregard for religious freedom and violation of human rights is deplorable. The unjust treatment of American citizens should not be tolerated by our Administration. We ask that you press the Sudanese government to adhere to its international obligations and immediately release Ms. Ibrahim and her children. Only then will she be able to reunite her family in the United States.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Roger Wicker, R-Miss.
Mary Landrieu, D-La.
Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
Deb Fischer, R-Neb.
Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska
Jerry Moran, R-Kan.
Mary Landrieu, D-La.
James Inhofe, R-Okla.
Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.
Richard Burr, R-N.C.
Mike Johanns, R-Neb.
Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
John Boozman, R-Ark.