Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“Canada continues to be deeply concerned, especially following the birth of her baby in prison yesterday, with the well-being of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, the Sudanese Christian mother of two sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery and to death for apostasy.

“This case calls into question the Government of Sudan’s commitment to upholding its human rights obligations.

“Canada has raised this matter directly with the Government of Sudan and continues to actively call upon it to respect the right to freedom of religion, including the freedom to choose one’s own faith and practise it in peace. This right is enshrined in international human rights law as well as in Sudan’s own 2005 interim constitution.”