Two men, aged 20 and 23, were caned in front of a jeering crowd in Indonesia’s Aceh province after they were caught having sex by vigilantes in March.
The punishment was delivered outside a mosque in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh with the crowd cheering as the caning took place.
"Let this be a lesson to you," one of the men watching cried out. "Do it harder," another man yelled, according to the BBC.
It is the first time gay men have been caned under Sharia law in the province, which allows up to 100 lashes for “morality” offences including homosexual sex, adultery, gambling, drinking alcohol, women who wear tight clothes and men who skip Friday prayers.
Human Rights Watch spoke out against the caning, saying the punishment constitutes torture under international law.
“These men had their privacy invaded in a frightening and humiliating manner and now face public torture for the 'crime' of their alleged sexual orientation,” said Phelim Kine, the group’s deputy Asia division director, according to The independent.
“The arrest and detention of these two men underscores the abuse imbedded in Aceh’s discriminatory, anti-LGBT ordinances.”
You can watch, somewhat distressing, footage of the punishment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMqISKMNZdo
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Reader's Comments
Total violation of Human Rights and what about the "peaceful" religion idea? What a bunch of hypocrits.
I've been to Aceh and was happy to leave. Not a place I feel comfortable with regardless of your orientation !
They are being humiliated, yes. Beaten to death, no.
It's quite possible these are stooges that aren't gay at all.
You're entitled to be outraged however. Over what, I'm not sure.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caning_in_Malaysia
"Sharia caning is much less severe as compared to judicial caning and is designed to humiliate the offender rather than to inflict physical pain. This form of caning is also practised in Indonesia's Aceh Province, where it is more common."
But you know as well as l do the UN is about as affective in world matters as another hole in the head!!
The UN have the information AND the law behind them.
As mentioned in the above....Human Rights Watch spoke out against the caning, saying the punishment constitutes torture under "international law"
Along with the State, the head of the State should be tried in the court of justice in Hague...
So i suggest all Gay people not visit that Country at all its a Matter of Principle.
I'd say, "think again," but you weren't thinking the first time.
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