David Cameron condemns death sentence in Sudan

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Saturday, May 31st, 2014

David Cameron has urged the Sudanese government to lift the “barbaric” death sentence handed down to a Christian woman accused of abandoning Islam.

A court ruled that Meriam Ibrahim, who was raised by her Christian mother and married a Christian, was Muslim in line with her father – which she rejects.

The PM said he was “appalled” by the treatment of Ms Ibrahim, who gave birth to a daughter in her cell on Wednesday.

UK leaders Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband also condemned her death sentence.

Mr Cameron said the treatment of Ms Ibrahim had “no place in today’s world” and said the UK would “continue to press the government of Sudan to act”.

“Religious freedom is an absolute, fundamental human right.

“I urge the government of Sudan to overturn the sentence and immediately provide appropriate support and medical care for her and her children,” he said.

Even though Ms Ibrahim, 27, was brought up as an Orthodox Christian, a Sudanese judge ruled earlier this month that she should be regarded as Muslim because it had been her father’s faith.

She has refused to renounce her Christianity and has been sentenced to death by hanging for apostasy.

According to Islamic law, Ms Ibrahim can nurse her baby daughter for two years before the sentence is carried out.

Her Christian marriage, in 2011, has also been annulled and she has been sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery because her marriage is not valid under Islamic law.

Sudan has a majority Muslim population and Islamic law has been in force there since the 1980s.

-Punchwp_posts