MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, the case of Meriam Yehya Ibrahim
15.7.2014 - (2014/2727(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Charles Tannock, Peter van Dalen, Jana Žitňanská on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0010/2014
B8‑0010/2014
European Parliament resolution on Sudan, the case of Meriam Yehya Ibrahim
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights in Sudan
– having regard to European Commission Statement on Meriam Ibrahim, 10th June 2014
– having regard to the statement by the Spokesman for the High Representative, 15th May 2014
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,
_ having regard to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights
_ having regard to the First Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
_ having regard to the Arab Charter on Human Rights
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas in August 2013, a relative of Meriam Ibrahim claimed that that Ibrahim's marriage to Mr. Wani, a Christian, constituted adultery; Mr Wani is accused of converting a Muslim, leading Ibrahim to also be accused of adultery
B. whereas on the 4th March, Sudan's Public Order Court in El Haj Yousif in Khartoum North charges Meriam Ibrahim with apostasy and adultery; she is transferred to the Omdurman Federal Women's Prison with her 20-month-old son Martin; on April 30, Meriam Ibrahim is convicted of all charges and is given 15 days to recant her beliefs
C. whereas on the 11th May, Meriam Ibrahin, now pregnant with her second child, is sentenced by the El Haj Yousif Public Order Court in Khartoum, Sudan, to 100 lashes and death by hanging
D. whereas on the 27th May, Meriam Ibrahim gives birth to a baby girl, Maya, in prison; it is alleged that Ibrahim's legs were kept in shackles and chains while she was in labour.
E. whereas on the 23rd June, Meriam Ibrahim is released from prison; on the 24th June Meriam Ibrahim and her husband were arrested at a Sudanese airport as they sought to leave the country with their two children
F. whereas Sudan has acceded to the Arab Charter on Human Rights and whereas article 27 guarantees that persons from all religions have the right to practice their faith
G. whereas since the separation of South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan, government support for Christianity has been vastly reduced and whereas there have been allegations of economic inducements aimed at non- Muslims to convert to Islam
1. Deplores the treatment of Mariam Ibrahim and considers articles 5, 16 and 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to have been violated by the Sudanese authorities; welcomes the decision by the Court of Appeal to overturn her detention and death sentence;
2. Stresses that it is degrading and inhumane for a pregnant woman to give birth whilst chained and physically detained; calls on Sudanese authorities to ensure that all pregnant women and labouring women in detention receive appropriate and safe maternal and newborn healthcare;
3. Strongly condemns Sudan handing down a death sentence for apostasy; notes that no one has been executed for apostasy in Sudan since the Sudan Criminal Code of 1991 made it punishable by the death penalty; stresses that everyone has the right to practice a religion and to change their religion;
4. Urges Sudan to repeal and reject any legal provisions that penalise or discriminate against individuals for their religious beliefs or for changing their religion or beliefs or, for inducing others to change a religion or belief;
5. Reminds Sudanese authorities of their international obligations to protect the freedom of religion and of belief and is concerned that cases of apostasy, heterdoxy and conversion are punishable by death; asks that the Sudanese authorities meet their obligations as laid down in the treaties and conventions to which they are signatories
6. Stresses concern that on trying to leave Sudan for the United States of America, Meriam Ibrahim, her husband and two young children were detained at Khartoum airport on grounds that Ibrahim's travel documents were invalid; asks that the Sudanese authorities review Meriam Ibrahim's case thoroughly and explain why her and her family were detained;
7. Notes with concern the continued and frequent violation of women's rights in Sudan notebly Article 152 of Sudan’s criminal code; urges the Sudanese authorities to expediently sign and ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the Government of the Republic of Sudan.