Canada Welcomes Release of Christian Mother in Sudan

OTTAWA, Canada, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Andrew Bennett, Canada's Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:

“Canada welcomes the release of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag from a Sudanese prison. Ms. Meriam is a Christian mother who gave birth to her second child in prison after being sentenced to death for apostasy and to 100 lashes for adultery.

“Canada is pleased the Sudanese legal authorities served justice and demonstrated compassion in this case and that they have adhered to their international human rights obligations.

“Ms. Meriam's release comes after Canada and the international community expressed their deep concern directly to Sudanese authorities and reminded them that these rights and freedoms were enshrined in Sudan's own 2005 interim constitution.

“Canada will continue to call on all governments to protect freedom of religion, including the right to change one's faith or beliefs and to practise one's faith in peace.”