Mon 29 Sep 2014 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Amnesty International is demanding the immediate repeal of a bylaw which allows a sentence of 100 lashes for gay or lesbian sex in Indonesia’s ultra-conservative Aceh province. The Aceh Islamic Criminal Code also criminalises sex outside marriage and “being alone with someone of the opposite sex who is not a marriage partner or relative” Those found guilty could face caning, imprisonment or fines imposed by Islamic courts. “This bylaw should never have been passed and is an enormous step backwards for human rights in Aceh – the Aceh parliament should immediately repeal or revise the provisions of the bylaw which violate human rights,” says Amnesty International’s Asia Pacific Director Richard Bennett. “The criminalisation of individuals based on their sexual orientation is a huge blow for equality in Indonesia, and violates the country’s international human rights commitments. This law will only add to the climate of homophobia, fear and harassment many in Aceh are already facing,” he says. “Caning is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment that is clearly prohibited under international law. Victims not only experience pain and humiliation, but also often face long-term physical or psychological scars.” In 2009, the Aceh parliament passed the Aceh Islamic Criminal Code which provided for stoning to death for “adultery” and caning of up to 100 lashes for gay sex and premarital sex. However, the Aceh Governor refused to approve this code and it was not implemented, in part because of intense criticism at local, national, and international levels. The stoning sentence which was initially included in the revision of the code has since been removed. However the newly passed Criminal Code continues to impose caning as a form of punishment.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 29th September 2014 - 11:24am