APSN | Activists condemn sentence of caning for gay couple in Aceh

Home > South-East Asia >> Aceh

Activists condemn sentence of caning for gay couple in Aceh

Jakarta Post - May 18, 2017

Activists are 'really scared' after two Indonesian men were sentenced to 85 lashes for having sex – Buzz Feed News. May 18, 2017
Two men to receive 85 lashes for gay sex in Aceh – Sydney Morning Herald. May 17, 2017
Two men face 80 lashes in Indonesia after being accused of having gay sex – Associated Press. May 11, 2017
Gay couple beaten, detained by Indonesian vigilantes likely to face trial under sharia law – ABC Radio Australia. April 11, 2017
Two Indonesians face 100 strokes of cane if found guilty of gay sex – Reuters. April 10, 2017

Jakarta – The Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) has condemned the decision of a sharia court in Banda Aceh to sentence a 24-year-old man from Langkat, North Sumatra, and a 20-year-old man from Bireun Regency, Aceh, to 85 lashes for engaging in a homosexual relationship.

The two men, identified only by their initials MT and MH, were found guilty of violating Qanun Jinayat, the province's Islamic penal code.

In a statement released on Thursday, the ICJR said the law was unfair because it stigmatized Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. "This law violates privacy rights. It also triggers homophobia in society," the group said.

The sentence of caning, ICJR commented, had no legal basis as Indonesia did not recognize corporal punishment. "Caning is inhumane and demeaning," the group said.

They further argued that Qanun Jinayat was problematic as a majority of people charged with the sharia articles were not represented by lawyers. (ary/rdi)

Indonesia: Revoke the caning sentence of gay men in Aceh – Amnesty International Public Statement. May 17, 2017

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/18/activists-condemn-sentence-of-caning-for-gay-couple-in-aceh.html.