Aceh Sharia Court Sentences Men to Caning for Homosexuality

Public Caning Ordered for Homosexual Acts

A Sharia court in Indonesia's Aceh province has sentenced two men to 80 lashes for engaging in homosexual relations. The defendants, aged 20 and 21, were arrested in April after witnesses reported them entering a public park toilet together. Sharia police forced open the door and found them kissing and embracing.

Fifth Such Sentence Since 2015

The closed-door trial in Banda Aceh concluded this was a sexual act punishable under Islamic law. This marks the fifth instance since 2015 where men have received caning sentences for homosexuality in Aceh. The punishment will be administered publicly.

Special Legal Status of Aceh

Aceh remains Indonesia's only province implementing Sharia law. Following the devastating 2004 tsunami, Jakarta granted the region special autonomy including authority to enforce Islamic regulations. This arrangement helped resolve Aceh's decades-long independence conflict.

Expanded Sharia Enforcement

The province established special Sharia police units and courts that enforce strict Islamic codes. Punishable offenses include homosexual relations, heterosexual relations outside marriage, alcohol consumption, and gambling. According to Amnesty International, 135 people received corporal punishments in Aceh last year for violating Sharia provisions.