Two Men Caned in Indonesia for Violating Islamic Law

Two men in Indonesia’s Aceh province received 80 lashes each on October 3, 2023, after being convicted by an Islamic Shariah court for hugging and kissing, acts deemed violations of Islamic law. This public caning, witnessed by approximately 100 people at Bustanussalatin city park in Banda Aceh, underscores the strict enforcement of Islamic morality laws in the region.

The court’s ruling stated that such intimate behavior could lead to banned sexual relations. The two men, aged 20 and 21, were subjected to the punishment by officials wearing robes and hoods. Aceh’s legal system allows for severe corporal punishment, including up to 100 lashes for various morality offenses, which include homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, and public displays of affection.

The incident began in April when local residents alerted the police after witnessing the men enter the same bathroom in Taman Sari city park. Upon investigation, authorities discovered them engaging in physical intimacy. Court records indicated that the two had met on an online dating app prior to the incident. In addition to the two men, eight others were also caned that day for offenses related to adultery and gambling.

Context of Shariah Law in Aceh

Aceh is Indonesia’s only province that implements Shariah law, a system established as part of a compromise to quell a separatist movement in the region. Since the introduction of Islamic law and the establishment of a religious police force in 2006, there have been four documented canings related to homosexuality. The legal framework in Aceh has expanded significantly, with a 2015 amendment extending Shariah law to non-Muslims, who represent about 1% of the province’s population.

Despite Indonesia’s national laws not criminalizing homosexuality, the central government has limited power to intervene in Aceh’s implementation of Shariah law. Previous attempts to influence local regulations included urging officials to retract a proposed law that would prescribe stoning for adultery.

Reactions and Human Rights Concerns

The public caning has prompted strong criticism from human rights organizations. Maidina Rahmawati, acting executive director of the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform in Indonesia, stated that such corporal punishment contradicts various laws and human rights standards. “This public caning is detrimental to Indonesia’s image and is a troubling example of state-sanctioned discrimination,” she remarked.

Amnesty International condemned the caning as a “disturbing act of state-sanctioned discrimination and cruelty.” Montse Ferrer, the organization’s regional research director, emphasized that intimate relationships between consenting adults should never be criminalized, highlighting the systemic stigma faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Aceh.

The caning reflects shifting political dynamics and societal attitudes in Aceh, with local authorities often framing such actions as necessary to support the Shariah-based government. The recent enforcement of stricter moral codes may further impact Indonesia’s reputation, particularly among international observers and potential tourists.

As Indonesia moves towards implementing laws that criminalize sex outside of marriage, the implications for personal freedoms and human rights continue to draw scrutiny. The public’s response to these measures remains to be seen, but the recent events in Aceh highlight ongoing tensions between traditional values and modern human rights advocacy.