[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3962-S3963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PLIGHT OF MERIAM IBRAHIM
Mr. CRUZ. Madam President, I rise today to discuss a heartbreaking
tragedy that has focused the attention of people across America and
people across the world. I rise today to discuss the plight of Meriam
Ibrahim. Meriam is a young wife and a young mother. Meriam has two
children. She has a son Martin, who is 20 months old, and she has a
newborn baby girl Maya, who was just recently born.
Now, the birth of a little girl should be a cause for celebration.
But I am sorry to tell you, Madam President, that Meriam gave birth to
Maya while in leg irons in a prison in Sudan.
Meriam is married to a U.S. citizen, Daniel. Her two children are
American citizens. Why was Meriam in leg irons in a prison cell in
Sudan? She was
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there because the Government of Sudan had sentenced her to receive 100
lashes and to hang by the neck until dead for the crime of being a
Christian.
That is Meriam's only crime in Sudan, and for that crime she was
sentenced to be tortured and executed.
Meriam was told by the Government of Sudan that if she would merely
renounce Jesus Christ, she would be spared that horrible sentence. But
Meriam told her captors that she would not and could not renounce
Christ.
All of us value the religious liberty that is protected here in
America that is precious to each and every one of us, and yet I would
venture, very few, if any of us, have been tested in our faith the way
Meriam has.
Now, 2 days ago, we had cause for celebration. Two days ago, the
Government of Sudan--responding to the international outcry that this
young wife and mother would be tortured and murdered for being a
Christian--released Meriam. There were many prayers of thanksgiving 2
days ago.
Yet, Madam President, I am very sorry to tell you that yesterday,
while Meriam was at the airport preparing to leave and come to America
with her husband and her two little babies, armed thugs came to the
airport and seized Meriam. She is back in a prison in Sudan.
This is wrong. This is an outrage. This calls for prayers across this
country. And this calls for U.S. leadership.
I would humbly call upon President Obama to speak out for Meriam.
There is no one who has a bully pulpit like the President of the United
States. This is a case that cries for Presidential leadership. Her
husband is an American from New Hampshire. Her babies are Americans.
And this is a grotesque example of religious persecution. I would note
that this should not be a cause for partisan division. Indeed, in this
Chamber, I am pleased to have joined with Senator Shaheen, a Democrat
from New Hampshire, and Senator Ayotte, a Republican from New
Hampshire, in legislation that would provide immediate relief for
Meriam to allow her to come to America.
It is my hope this body can operate quickly in a bipartisan, in a
unanimous manner, to act on that legislation so we can stand together.
I am encouraged that so many of my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle have stood and fought for Meriam. We need to speak with one
uniform voice.
I hope, in particular--I would urge, in particular--President Obama
to stand and add his clear voice, to say to the Government of Sudan:
Free Meriam Ibrahim.
I would ask everyone watching this to lift her up in your prayers and
to speak out.
Sudan, 2 days ago, responded to the international pressure and
released her. Now that they have apparently had a change of heart and
forcibly captured her, we need to speak even louder. We need to speak
for Meriam Ibrahim because it is wrong for anyone--especially this
young wife and mother--to be subject to torture and murder for being a
Christian. That is unequivocally wrong, and we need to speak in one
voice.
Thank you, Madam President.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
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