QUOTE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 40 (NW46E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1-2014 OF 27 JUNE 2014
MR M H REDELINGHUYS (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND
COOPERATION:
1) What is the Governmentâs position with regard to the death sentence
imposed on the eight months pregnant Sudanese Christian woman,
MeriamYehya Ibrahim, who was convicted of apostasy and adultery on 11
May 2014?
REPLY:
1) South Africa welcomes the release of the Sudanese Christian woman,
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, who had been arrested and convicted on charges
of adultery and apostasy which are punishable by death in Sudan.
However, we recall that Sudanâs interim constitution is emphatic in
its guarantee of the freedom of religion. We further recall that Sudan
has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
and hence is obligated to protect the right to freedom of religion and
belief. Thus, South Africa is satisfied with the judicial outcome as
per the right of the accused person to appeal her sentence. We call
for a speedy and just conclusion regarding Ibrahimâs recent re-
detention, together with her family, over queries related to her
travel documentation.
UNQUOTE