Indonesia: 6 publicly flogged in Aceh for Sharia law violations
What's the story
In Indonesia's Aceh province, six individuals were publicly flogged on Thursday for violating strict Sharia laws. The group included a woman who was caned for public displays of affection with an unrelated man. This act is strictly prohibited under the province's interpretation of Islamic law. Three others were also punished for engaging in public affection between unrelated men and women. The other two individuals were punished for gambling offenses.
Punishment details
Lash counts for the 6 offenders
The lash counts for the six offenders ranged from nine to 22.
Caning is a common form of punishment in Aceh for various offenses, such as drinking alcohol, gambling, homosexual acts, and premarital or extramarital sex.
In August this year, the province witnessed its first public caning of a woman over an alleged "live obscenity" incident on TikTok.
Public spectacle
Public humiliation
Public flogging in Aceh is meant to humiliate as much as it is meant to punish.
These events are usually held in public places such as mosque grounds or town squares, where spectators often film the proceedings on their phones.
The humiliation of being publicly punished adds another layer of trauma for the offenders, who are already subjected to physical pain.
Rights violation
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemned the practice
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the practice of public flogging in Aceh. They argue that it violates Indonesia's constitution and international human rights standards.
Amnesty International said, "Caning contravenes Indonesia's constitution and is in clear violation of international human rights law and standards."
The organization called caning a "cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment" that could amount to torture under the UN Convention against Torture.