06/04/2014 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that organizers directed by RiadhandBassma Jaballah, a Tunisian Christian and religious freedom activist, are holding two events the week of June 2, March For Meriam, and Sit-in On Parliament to demand Meriam Yahia Ibrahim be immediately and unconditionally released.
Ibrahim, a 27-year-old mother of two and wife to an American citizen, was sentenced to 100 lashes and death for her Christian faith on May 15 by the El Haj Yousif Public Order Court in Khartoum. Ibrahim’s legal defense filed her case with the Khartoum Court of Appeals Thursday, May 22, though that court has yet to decide whether or not it will hear her case.
Ibrahim remains imprisoned with her two children, Martin and Maya, 20-months and 8-days old respectively, in the Omdurman Federal Women’s Prison. Ibrahim gave birth to baby Maya wile reportedly shackled to the floor of the prison’s hospital wing, despite multiple appeals by her defense for access to a private medical center for the birth.
Ibrahim’s husband, a South Sudanese national, Christian, and naturalized U.S. citizen, remains in Khartoum to visit his wife and children as often as possible and to see to their needs as best he can; however, Wani is restricted to a wheelchair and, prior to Ibrahim’s arrest and detention, relied heavily upon her support to live daily life.
Ibrahimwas charged and convicted with both adultery, for marrying a Christian, and apostasy, for allegedly converting from Islam to Christianity, under Sudan;s Sharia-inspired Public Order Criminal Code. A code that is only supposed to be applied to practicing Muslims. Ibrahim was raised by her Orthodox Christian mother, as her Muslim father deserted his family when Ibrahim was only six-years-old.
The apostasy charge was initially filed with Khartoum’s Public Order Police by a relative of Ibrahim’s, after family on her father’s side became aware of her Christian faith and marriage.
International pressure continues to mount against Sudan, calling for Ibrahim’s immediate and unconditional release. The protesters demonstrating now in Ottawa look to add to that pressure, with high hopes that Ibrahim, her children, and their husband and father will be reunited once again, soon.
The Facebook page for the group’s protest, #Free Dr. Miriam Ibrahim can be accessed here,
For interviews, contact Cameron Thomas: RM-Africa@persecution.org
ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
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