California Grandfather Joins the Call For The Release of Two American Children Imprisoned in Southern Sudan

Los Angeles, CA – 5-18-14 – Mark Reed, grandfather of nine children, calls on the American Government, Congress, the President, and the International Community to address and resolve the imprisonment of two American Children, one in utero  and the other, Martin, under the age of three.  They are held in violation of Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.   

 Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, a 27 year old Sudanese doctor is married to Daniel Wani  an American. They were married in Khartoum in 2012. They are both Christians and qualified physicians.   Sudanese law only allows Muslim woman to  marry Muslim men, her father being a Muslim; the marriage of Meriam and Daniel is not recognized, nor her conversion.

Daniel Wani, the father has dual citizenship (South Sudanese and US). Martin Wani the 2 year old, and the child in utero, are imprisoned with Meriam. Each have US Citizenship by virtue of Daniel.

Meriam is under a death sentence for her Christian faith, she was raised Ethiopian Orthodox by her mother.  Meriam is 8 months pregnant, with delivery due in June. While imprisoned, “Middle East Concern” has reported she has been abused by the prison guards, other prisoners, and has received no prenatal care.  A pregnant woman is abused!  The father of both children cannot gain any custodial rights, according to South Sudan law, for non-Muslims.  Upon Meriams’ execution the children will become wards of South Sudanese government.  Martin, an American Citizen, is being held in violation of Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The in utero child will also fall under this code.

If Meriam is executed  she would become the first person to be executed for apostasy under the 1991 penal code, prompting concerns  the charge may increasingly be used against anyone who converts from Islam.

Mark Reed and his wife of 37 years, Nina, have three adult children and nine grandchildren.  The concern he has for the future of all the world’s children is evident by his awareness of this tragic situation, and the initiative he is taking to bring attention to it during his run for Congress in the 30th District of California.  The inability of the US Government to demonstrate its influence and strength in protecting its citizens  abroad makes all U.S. citizens helpless, once again, as in Benghazi, putting them at risk while abroad.  Mark Reed wants to use his seat in Congress to restore the strength and dignity of America and the 30th District. He is aware of the political climate of South Sudan; however, these American children are protected by Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and our Government must address this immediately. www.ElectMarkReed.com   818-353-8777  MrCongress@verizon.net  

About Mark Reed

Mark Reed is the 2014 Republican candidate challenging incumbent Congressman Brad Sherman in the 30th Congressional District of California. He has been endorsed by Michael Reagan and each of the Assembly District Central Committees in the 30th Congressional District of Los Angeles County.