This time last year, thousands of you were campaigning for the release of Meriam, the Sudanese Christian woman who had been imprisoned for her beliefs.
One year on, our team is working on another case in Sudan – two pastors who are on trial.
“I was on death row in Sudan last year because I am a Christian. I am free now because you prayed and protested for my release. Now we must use our voices for Rev Yat Michael and Rev Peter Reith, who are on trial because they spoke up to encourage a church in Sudan which is under pressure from the government. They are being prevented from seeing their families and lawyers, and are being held in a high security prison. Please remember the pastors in your prayers. I am using my voice to ask the Sudanese government to release them NOW, please do the same. Thank you.” Meriam Ibrahim, former prisoner in Sudan
Sadly, the situation for Christians in Sudan is still very precarious. But with your help we’re fighting for the freedom of everyone in Sudan to hold and practise their beliefs freely. We’re working towards the day when all Sudan’s citizens are recognised as equal before the law, no matter what their beliefs, in a just and democratic society.
As we go to press, the judge in the case of the two pastors has decided to proceed on all charges. They’re also being denied access to their lawyers – the judge told them they can have just 15 minutes with their legal team before the next hearing. Their chief counsel, the head of their legal team, was imprisoned on 1 July, charged with ‘obstructing a public servant from performing the duties of his office’.
Speech to church ‘offended’ officials
Reverend Yat Michael was arrested last December after speaking at a church which has been embroiled in a land dispute with private investors who are supported by the government. Sudanese security officials say they were offended by his speech encouraging the church to stand firm. Reverend Peter Reith was detained less than a month later, after writing a letter asking where and why Rev Yat was being held. Until recently they were held in chains, in solitary confinement.
The pastors are facing serious criminal charges, two of which carry the death penalty or life imprisonment if the pastors are convicted. The prosecution has so far set out only weak evidence against the pastors.
In June the pastors were moved to Kober Prison, a high security prison where they’re not allowed to receive visitors. Initially they were held in chains, and in solitary confinement.
Christian women arrested on public indecency charges
Meanwhile, other Christians in Sudan are facing oppression in various ways. In early July we received disturbing reports that twelve women aged between 18 and 23, who were dressed in skirts and trousers, were arrested on public indecency charges after leaving a celebration service at the El Izba Baptist Church in Khartoum. The women were taken to a police station and forced to remove their clothes, which were submitted as evidence to the prosecutor. Two girls have since been released without charge. The remaining ten, who were charged with indecent or immoral dress, have been released on bail and are awaiting hearings.
Speak up for justice!
Your amazing support for Meriam last year overwhelmed her and her family as well as us! The mother who was forced to give birth in chains in prison was set free, her death sentence overturned, after a huge wave of international support made headlines around the world. And now we want to show Sudan that the world is watching, and demanding justice for Reverend Yat and Reverend Peter. Write to the Sudanese embassy in your country, asking them to set the pastors free unconditionally.
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