Christian groups plead for mercy for pastors facing execution in Sudan

Almost a year after international outcry pressured Sudan to release Meriam Ibrahim from prison, persecution and legal experts say the same kind of pressure is needed on behalf of two pastors from South Sudan.

Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services arrested and imprisoned Rev. Yat Michael Ruot and Peter Yein Reith, both Presbyterian clergy, on charges that included espionage, Fox News reported.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide listed all the charges against the pastors: undermining the constitutional system, waging war against the state, disclosure and receipt of official information or documents, arousing feelings of discontent among regular forces, breach of public peace, and offences relating to insulting religious beliefs.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) called the charges against Ruot and Reith “trumped-up,” an assessment affirmed by International Christian Concern (ICC).

“We have no evidence to believe that any of these accusations of spying or crimes against the state are credible at all,” said Troy Augustine, ICC’s regional manager for Africa.

The pastors’ trial began yesterday, but few observers expect a fair proceeding.

“The deck is stacked against them,” Augustine said of any Christians imprisoned in Sudan, including the clergymen. He noted Sudan is a Muslim country trying to become even more so, with a leader wanted for genocide against Christians.

“I’m fearful that they will execute these pastors for practicing their faith,” David Curry, CEO of Open Doors USA, told Fox News.

Ruot was arrested after he preached at the Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Khartoum, while he was in Sudan seeking medical care for family. Reith later wrote a letter to the Sudanese government protesting Ruot’s imprisonment.

In January, police arrested Reith too, after he preached at a church. Both men were detained for some time without Sudanese authorities disclosing their whereabouts—a violation of international law, according to Open Doors spokeswoman Emily Fuentes.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011, in part because of the terrible persecution of Christians, Fuentes said. Since then, Sudan has cracked down even harder on Christians and attempted to make the nation completely Islamic.

Since Sudan has bowed to international pressure in the past, the ACLJ, Open Doors, and ICC all urge an outpouring of support for the pastors.

“Never give up hope,” Augustine said. “Because even if they are convicted and sentenced to death we have had success pressuring the government to release prisoners.” The case of Meriam Ibrahim drew an international effort of Christian groups and world leaders to secure her freedom.

In addition to praying for the pastors, Augustine recommended people apply pressure by contacting embassies. The ACLJ also started a petition at BeHeardProject.com.

Open Doors has its own petition asking U.S. President Barack Obama to appoint a Special Envoy for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia, due to the intensifying persecution in those regions. Congress has already passed the legislation creating the position, and the president has signed it into law. Obama just needs to fill spot, Fuentes said.