US Senators are calling on the Obama administration to help the pregnant wife of an American citizen who is facing the death sentence in Sudan.
Senators Roy Blunt and Kelly Ayotte sent a follow-up letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson asking for the rescue of Meriam Ibrahim, a Christian woman confined in a Sudanese prison along with her 20 month old. Ibrahim, whose husband Daniel Wani is a US citizen, has been imprisoned since February for refusing to recant her faith.
"Due to the nature of this case, it is critical that there is clarity between your Departments regarding the status of the family and their previous requests for assistance from the United States," the Senators wrote. "Any gaps in communication between the Departments during this time are simply unacceptable."
The senators also noted that "American citizen Saeed Abedini had been beaten and taken back to prison in Iran." They continued to state that "The U.S. must respond urgently to these grave human rights abuses. We continue to respectfully request that you, along with the Administration, utilize all resources available to secure freedom for Meriam and her son."
This is the second time the Senators have written to Obama Administration this month concerning human rights abuses. A previous letter, written May 16th, asked for the government's "full attention to the outrageous Sudanese court ruling," requesting "immediate action and full diplomatic engagement to offer Meriam political asylum and to secure her and her son's safe release."
However, the Obama Administration has been strangely silent concerning the issue, releasing only a statement on the White House website saying it was "disturbed" by the situation."
In an exchange with CNSNews.com, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki relayed indifference toward the tragedy. When asked if Daniel Wani was in fact a U.S. citizen, Psaki stated "Typically we don't confirm those type of details, but I'm happy to check and see if there's more to share."
"You don't know whether that little boy in prison is a U.S. citizen?" CNS asked.
"I don't have any more details to share," Psaki answered.
Daniel Wani revealed that the U.S. embassy demanded a DNA test to prove that he was a father of his imprisoned child. He agreed, even offering wedding documents and birth certificates, but said the American Embassy in Sudan still "did not help me." When pressed about the issue, the State Department simply responded that they would be "happy to check and see if there's more to share."
"Unfortunately, it's been like pulling teeth to get the U.S. involved in international religious liberty crises," writes Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council. "It took years to get Boko Haram classified as a terror group for slaughtering Christians. Pastor Saeed Abedini is still being brutalized in an Iranian prison. And now this."
Perkins continues that "a miracle might have to come from Congress" for Ibrahim and her family to be rescued.
However, Daniel Wani and his family are placing all of their trust in God, praying that his wife and young son will be delivered.
"I'm just praying for God. He can do a miracle," said Daniel's brother.
