US seeks proof of paternity for children of Sudanese woman on death row
June 2, 2014 (WASHINGTON) – The United States appeared to suggest on Monday that it has yet to establish that the children of a Sudanese women sentenced to death on apostasy charges are American citizens.
A Khartoum court sentenced 27-year-old Meriam Yehya Ibrahim to death by hanging for apostasy after she refused to recant her faith and revert to Islam.
The court convicted Ibrahim, who is in custody with her 20-month-old son and her newborn baby girl, of the charges on 11 May and gave her three days to return to Islam.
Her case is now pending appeal filed by her lawyers and in accordance with Sudanese constitution, the capital punishment cannot be carried out for two years since she is a breastfeeding mom.
Ibrahim’s husband, Daniel Wani is a US citizen and that would therefore entitle his children to automatic US citizenship.
But Wani was reportedly asked to undergo DNA testing that would prove his paternity to the two children.
The US official refused to answer a question on whether that means information previously provided by Wani did not meet the threshold required by Immigration and Nationality Act.
According to the US State Department website, “DNA testing is the only biological testing method currently accepted by the Department to establish a biological relationship”.
“However, due to the expense, complexity and logistical delays inherent in parentage testing, genetic testing generally should be used only in the absence of sufficient other evidence (documentation, photos, etc.) establishing the relationship”.
“When genetic testing appears warranted, a US consular officer at a US embassy or consulate abroad may suggest passport or CRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) applicants undergo DNA testing to establish the validity of the relationship(s). Please note that such testing is entirely voluntary and that all costs of testing and related expenses must be borne by the applicant and paid to the laboratory in advance. In addition, submitting to testing does not guarantee the subsequent issuance of a passport or CRBA”.
Psaki said that they have been in touch with Wani since June 2013 when the trial started.
“Embassy officials most recently met with him on 2 June, so that is today. And one of our top priorities, as all of you know, is the protection of US citizens overseas, and our continued engagement with him and efforts to assist him as a US citizen are indicative of that commitment,” she said.
She emphasised that US secretary of state John Kerry is “gravely concerned” about the case.
The US said last week that is closely working to convince Khartoum to release Ibrahim.
“Through the US embassy in Khartoum, the White House and the state department, we have communicated our strong concern at high levels of the Sudanese government about this case,” State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson wrote in an email to FoxNews.com.
“We have heard from many, many Americans that they are deeply alarmed by [Ibrahim’s] plight. We have conveyed these views to the Government of Sudan,” Thompson said.
(ST)