Menu
22/05/2014
Call For Leaders To Intervene After Pregnant Doctor Gets Sentenced To Death
The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling for world leaders to intervene over a heavily pregnant doctor who has been sentenced to death in Sudan.
The association has written to the Sudanese president, the British prime minister and his foreign secretary calling for the doctor’s immediate release.
In his letters, BMA council chair Mark Porter criticises the "barbaric" sentence and calls the doctor a prisoner of conscience.
He maintains that, by every human standard, she "is innocent of any recognisable offence".
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim was sentenced to hanging for the abandonment of religious faith when she refused to recant her belief in Christianity.
She is the daughter of a Christian woman and Muslim man. She was raised Christian after her father left. However, under Sudanese law, children born to Muslim fathers are considered Muslim.
She has also been sentenced to 100 lashes after marrying a Christian man.
The 27-year-old, who is eight month'’ pregnant, awaits her sentence in prison with her 20-month-old toddler son, with reports suggesting she is shackled in her cell.
The Sudanese criminal code states the doctor must give birth and nurse the child for two years before the execution proceeds.
In his letters, Dr Porter asks UK leaders to use all avenues at their disposal to pressurise the Sudanese authorities to overturn the sentence.
He writes: "It goes without saying that the Sudanese judgment is in violation of international human rights and moral norms. According to progressive Muslim scholars it is also an inhumane and archaic reading of Islamic law."
(CVS)
The association has written to the Sudanese president, the British prime minister and his foreign secretary calling for the doctor’s immediate release.
In his letters, BMA council chair Mark Porter criticises the "barbaric" sentence and calls the doctor a prisoner of conscience.
He maintains that, by every human standard, she "is innocent of any recognisable offence".
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim was sentenced to hanging for the abandonment of religious faith when she refused to recant her belief in Christianity.
She is the daughter of a Christian woman and Muslim man. She was raised Christian after her father left. However, under Sudanese law, children born to Muslim fathers are considered Muslim.
She has also been sentenced to 100 lashes after marrying a Christian man.
The 27-year-old, who is eight month'’ pregnant, awaits her sentence in prison with her 20-month-old toddler son, with reports suggesting she is shackled in her cell.
The Sudanese criminal code states the doctor must give birth and nurse the child for two years before the execution proceeds.
In his letters, Dr Porter asks UK leaders to use all avenues at their disposal to pressurise the Sudanese authorities to overturn the sentence.
He writes: "It goes without saying that the Sudanese judgment is in violation of international human rights and moral norms. According to progressive Muslim scholars it is also an inhumane and archaic reading of Islamic law."
(CVS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 August 2004
Sudanese forces 'harassed and brutually treated' refugees
Sudanese military harassed and brutally treated the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Darfur region, in contravention of agreements made to the UN and US, it has been confirmed.
Sudanese forces 'harassed and brutually treated' refugees
Sudanese military harassed and brutally treated the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Darfur region, in contravention of agreements made to the UN and US, it has been confirmed.
06 August 2004
Sudan pledges to disarm militias within 30 days
UN and Sudanese officials have signed an agreement committing Khartoum to take "detailed steps" in the next 30 days to disarm the militias responsible for deadly attacks in the Darfur region, improve security for the 1.
Sudan pledges to disarm militias within 30 days
UN and Sudanese officials have signed an agreement committing Khartoum to take "detailed steps" in the next 30 days to disarm the militias responsible for deadly attacks in the Darfur region, improve security for the 1.
02 March 2005
Muslim schoolgirl wins court case
The Appeal Court has ruled that a Muslim schoolgirl was unlawfully excluded from school because she wore traditional Muslim dress instead of the school uniform. Shabina Begum was sent home from Denbigh High School in Luton, because she was wearing a full-length traditional Muslim gown, known as a jilbab.
Muslim schoolgirl wins court case
The Appeal Court has ruled that a Muslim schoolgirl was unlawfully excluded from school because she wore traditional Muslim dress instead of the school uniform. Shabina Begum was sent home from Denbigh High School in Luton, because she was wearing a full-length traditional Muslim gown, known as a jilbab.
31 July 2008
NHS 'Failing' On Prompt Access To GP's, Report Says
The NHS in England is failing to meet Government targets for giving people prompt access to GPs, a Healthcare Commission survey has revealed. It finds 13% of patients cannot get an appointment to see a family doctor within 48 hours, in breach of undertakings given by Ministers four years ago.
NHS 'Failing' On Prompt Access To GP's, Report Says
The NHS in England is failing to meet Government targets for giving people prompt access to GPs, a Healthcare Commission survey has revealed. It finds 13% of patients cannot get an appointment to see a family doctor within 48 hours, in breach of undertakings given by Ministers four years ago.
31 October 2006
Prince’s Peshawar trip cancelled
Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall are to remain in the Pakistan capital of Islamabad over security concerns. The couple were scheduled to visit the north western town of Peshawar, but furious Muslim leaders have called for protests across the country following a major security operation in the region by the Pakistani military.
Prince’s Peshawar trip cancelled
Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall are to remain in the Pakistan capital of Islamabad over security concerns. The couple were scheduled to visit the north western town of Peshawar, but furious Muslim leaders have called for protests across the country following a major security operation in the region by the Pakistani military.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with longer spells of rain during the morning, this rain heavy at times. Generally brighter in the afternoon, but with scattered and at times heavy showers. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A mainly dry evening and night with isolated showers dying out and some longer clear spells. Then it will cloud over towards morning with some heavy showers. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
