Ayotte Backs Resolution Condemning Death Sentence for Sudanese Christian Woman

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today helped introduce bipartisan legislation condemning the death sentence of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, a Sudanese Christian woman sentenced to death for her religious faith, and calling for her immediate and unconditional release from prison, where she remains with her 20 month-old son. The resolution was introduced today by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Jim Inhofe (R-OK). Ayotte last week called for the U.S. government to offer political asylum to Ibrahim, who is eight months pregnant, and to use all diplomatic measures to secure her release.

"Ms. Ibrahim's death sentence is an abhorrent violation of the fundamental human right of religious liberty, and this resolution strongly condemns the Sudanese court's ruling," said Senator Ayotte. "I've called for the U.S. government to offer her political asylum and continue to demand that the U.S. use high-level diplomatic measures to secure her and her son's safe release."

The resolution reaffirms the U.S. government's commitment to ending religious discrimination, calling for the inclusion of religious freedom and respect for international human rights during the drafting of Sudan's new constitution.

The resolution resolves that the Senate:

-Condemns the charge of apostasy and death sentence of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag and calls for immediate and unconditional release of her and her son.

-Encourages efforts by the United States Government to support religious freedom within Sudan including by requiring, before normalizing relations or lifting sanctions under the International Religious Freedom Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, that the government of Sudan abide by international standards of freedom of religion or belief.

-Urges the government of Sudan to ensure that, when drafting the country's new constitution, the process is transparent and inclusive of civil society leaders and representatives of all major political parties, to ensure that the new constitution includes protections for freedom of religion or belief, respect for international human rights commitments, and recognition of Sudan as a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural nation.

-Recognizes that every individual regardless of religion should have the opportunity to practice their religion without fear of discrimination; reaffirms the commitment of the United States to ending religious discrimination and to pursuing policies that guarantee the basic human rights of all individuals worldwide.

- Encourages the Department of State, and the United States Agency for International Development, to continue their support for initiatives worldwide that support religious freedom.

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