The country of Indonesia is a majority Muslim nation spread across a chain of islands between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Despite roots in Islam, of the 38 provinces of Indonesia, only one has criminalized homosexuality. The province of Aceh has implemented Sharia law, punishing homosexuality with up to 100 lashes and up to 100 months in prison. The law also allows citizens to turn in others for investigation. This was the case in June when two young men, ages 20 and 21, were caught hugging and kissing in a public restroom. Despite not having sex, they were found guilty of violating laws against same-sex relations and were publicly caned on Tuesday as part of their punishment. They received 76 and 82 lashes, with the young man accused of instigating the act getting the extra lashes. Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director, Monste Ferrer, issued a statement saying, “This public flogging of two young men under Aceh’s Islamic Criminal Code for consensual sex is a disturbing act of state-sanctioned discrimination and cruelty. This punishment is a horrifying reminder of the institutionalized stigma and abuse faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Aceh. Intimate relationships between consenting adults should never be criminalized. Punishments such as flogging are cruel, inhuman and degrading and may amount to torture under international law.” The law was first used in 2017 against two men accused of consensual sex, and has been used against dozens of others since.
