Meriam Ishag is safe

The Sudanese woman who had been sentenced to death for refusing to recant her Christianity was released last week after another detention.  She made her way to Italy with her family, where she had an audience with the Pope.  She is reportedly headed to the United States.

From Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag’s release and safe arrival is a diplomatic triumph for Italy – Europe – World – The Independent:

Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag’s safe arrival in Rome, en-route to the US, is also a diplomatic triumph for Italy – a nation that strongly opposes the death penalty and one that has historic ties with the Horn of Africa.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi signalled Italy’s determination to intervene on Ms Ibrahim’s behalf earlier this month. During his speech to inaugurate Italy’s six-month European Union Presidency, he said: “If there is no European reaction, we cannot feel worthy to call ourselves ‘Europe’.”

Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Lapo Pistelli told journalists at Rome’s Ciampino airport that Italy had been in “constant dialogue” with Sudan. He said Rome “had the patience to speak to everyone in a friendly way. This paid off in the end”.

US officials also played a role after Ms Ibrahim had been detained at Khartoum airport trying to fly to the US – seeking assurances from Sudanese authorities about the safety of the family and working to ensure they would be allowed out of Sudan, before taking them into the US embassy in Khartoum.