Public caning for having gay sex was carried out in the Indonesian province of Aceh, marking the first time individuals have been punished under the region’s strict Shariah laws for homosexuality.
The two men, aged 20 and 23, were sentenced to 85 lashes each after being caught in a private residence. Their sentencing has sparked international condemnation from human rights organizations, highlighting the growing concerns over the enforcement of conservative Islamic law in Aceh and the wider implications for Indonesia’s LGBTQ+ community.
Aceh’s Strict Enforcement of Shariah Law
Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that formally enforces Shariah law, a special right granted in 2001 as part of an agreement to end a long-standing insurgency.
While homosexuality remains legal in the rest of Indonesia, Aceh introduced laws in 2014 that criminalized same-sex relations, making it punishable by public caning. The maximum sentence for homosexuality under Aceh’s laws is 100 lashes, but the court reduced the punishment to 85 lashes after the men apologized.
The incident began when vigilantes broke into the men’s private residence, allegedly finding them naked together. Instead of allowing them privacy, the intruders recorded videos of the men and handed them over to the Shariah police.
The footage was later used as evidence in court, and the men were publicly humiliated before their sentencing. When questioned at the police station, one of the investigators taunted them, asking, “So you don’t like women? Not interested in them anymore?”
Read : Malaysian Man Publicly Flogged in Mosque for Spending Time with Woman Who Wasn’t His Wife
This case is part of a broader pattern of moral policing in Aceh. According to Human Rights Watch, 339 people were publicly caned in Aceh in 2016 alone for various offenses under Shariah law, including gambling, adultery, and alcohol consumption.
Read : Biden Pardons Approximately 2,000 Veterans Convicted Under Military Ban on Gay Sex
The application of these laws disproportionately targets marginalized communities, with transgender individuals often being the primary victims of public shaming and punishment.
Growing Hostility Towards LGBTQ+ Rights in Indonesia
While Aceh enforces Shariah law, the wider political climate in Indonesia has also become increasingly hostile toward the LGBTQ+ community. Conservative groups have pushed for national laws that would criminalize sex outside of marriage, a move that would indirectly outlaw same-sex relationships since Indonesia does not recognize gay marriage.
The country’s Constitutional Court is currently hearing a case that could decide whether sex outside marriage should be banned across Indonesia.
If the court rules in favor of the ban, it would give legal grounds for broader persecution of the LGBTQ+ community. The growing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is reflected in statements from public officials and religious leaders, with some suggesting that the push for LGBTQ+ rights is part of a foreign conspiracy.
Internationally, Indonesia has faced criticism for its handling of LGBTQ+ rights. The country ranks 178 out of 180 in the 2024 Press Freedom Index, reflecting a broader suppression of rights and freedoms under the current administration.
Activists fear that if Aceh’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws are not challenged, other regions may adopt similar measures, further endangering the rights of LGBTQ+ Indonesians.
The Future of LGBTQ+ Rights in Aceh and Indonesia
The public caning of these two men has once again drawn global attention to Indonesia’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. Human rights groups have called for the repeal of Shariah-based laws in Aceh, but the chances of that happening remain slim.
The Indonesian government has taken a hands-off approach to Aceh’s governance, allowing local authorities to enforce religious laws without intervention.
Activists argue that the national government must take a stronger stance against discriminatory laws, but legal challenges remain difficult.
In 2023, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court ruled that the central government could no longer overturn discriminatory local laws, meaning that repealing Aceh’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation would require significant political will at the regional level.
For LGBTQ+ individuals in Aceh, the risks remain high. Many live in fear of being reported by neighbors or targeted by vigilantes, knowing that even a private relationship could lead to public humiliation and brutal punishment.
The international community continues to pressure Indonesia to uphold human rights standards, but without internal change, the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in Aceh is likely to continue.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏