Marco Rubio Joins Senate Effort Against Death Penalty for Sudan Christian

With Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, a woman who is 8 months pregnant, facing the death penalty in Sudan for marrying a Christian and leaving Islam to embrace her husbands faith, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., joined senators from both parties in launching a measure to condemn her pending execution.

Rubio, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined U.S. Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., in bringing forth a measure on Wednesday condemning Ibrahims death sentence and urging Sudan to incorporate religious freedom in their constitution.

I am disgusted and appalled by the inhumane verdict Ms. Ibrahim has received, simply for refusing to recant her Christian faith, Rubio said. This is yet another example of the kind of religious intolerance and persecution that has no place in any civilized, free society. No one should have to live in a world where they fear for their life simply because of religion.

This legislation strives to encourage religious freedom within Sudan by ensuring that the new constitution includes protections for such fundamental rights, which would be a significant step toward a more democratic future for the people of Sudan, added Rubio. I also commend Ms. Ibrahims courage in refusing to renounce her Christianity, and I encourage her to remain steadfast. The world condemns her verdict and will stand by her in her moment of need.