Australia joins calls on Sudan execution

Australia is urging Sudanese authorities to uphold religious freedom laws and release a Christian woman sentenced to death for her conversion from Islam.

Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag was sentenced to death on May 15 under the Islamic sharia law that has been in place since 1983 and outlaws conversions under pain of death.

She is appealing her case.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Australia is standing with the international community in urging Sudan to stop the execution and save the 27-year-old, who gave birth to a baby girl in prison on Tuesday.

"Freedom of religion or belief is a core human right, and that this freedom must be respected in all countries in accordance with international human rights law," Ms Bishop said in a statement on Tuesday.