An 18-year-old woman who is six months pregnant and whose death sentence was overturned by a Sudanese appeal court has received 75 lashes.

Abok Alfa Akok, a Christian living in Nyala, Southern Darfur, said that she had been raped, but was unable to produce the four male witnesses required by Sharia (Islamic) law to validate her statement.

As a result, she was found guilty of adultery after becoming pregnant during her husband's six-month absence in Khartoum.

An appeal court overturned Abok's sentence following an international outcry and recommended that she receive a 'rebuke' sentence instead.

The Sudanese Victims of Torture Group has confirmed that on February 12 the Nyala Criminal Court sentenced Abok to 75 lashes. The sentence was carried out immediately, making it impossible for Abok to seek legal counsel or exercise any right of appeal. A lawyer acting on her behalf has lodged a complaint with the High Court about the conduct of the court proceedings.

Abok's case has caused a wave of international indignation and has even led to a call for an international campaign against the violation of human rights from a prominent figure in the Vatican.

According to Zenit, a Rome-based international news agency, Cardinal Roberto Tucci, President of Vatican Radio's Administration Committee, stated that 'for years in Sudan there has been authentic persecution by the Muslim government against the peoples of the south with black skins'. The Cardinal went on to comment directly on Abok's situation, pointing out that Sharia law had been applied to a non-Muslim, adding that 'it would be appropriate to start a campaign of protest against what is happening'.

Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, President of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, is said to be one of several people who expressed support for the Cardinal's suggestion.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "This woman's inhumane treatment highlights the appalling misuse of Sharia law in Sudan.

"This is the second time that she has been denied due process of law, quite apart from the injustice of a Christian being subject to Sharia law.

"We are asking the international community to bring Sudan to account for the way Abok has been treated, as well as for its widespread violation of the human rights of its citizens."