Indonesian Couple Publicly Caned 140 Times Under Strict Sharia Law
An Indonesian man and woman have been subjected to a severe public flogging in Aceh province, receiving 140 lashes each for violating the region's strict Islamic legal code. The punishment, carried out before dozens of spectators in a Banda Aceh public park, represents one of the harshest sentences imposed since sharia law was implemented in the province over two decades ago.
Details of the Sharia Violations and Punishment
The couple were convicted of two separate offences under Aceh's Islamic criminal code: engaging in sexual relations outside marriage and consuming alcohol. According to Banda Aceh's sharia police chief Muhammad Rizal, the sentence comprised 100 lashes for the intimate relationship violation and an additional 40 lashes for alcohol consumption.
The public caning was administered with a rattan cane, with both individuals struck repeatedly on their backs as onlookers witnessed the punishment. Reports indicate the woman collapsed during the ordeal and required medical attention, being transported away from the scene by ambulance following the flogging.
Aceh's Unique Legal Status and Enforcement
Aceh occupies a unique position within Indonesia as the only province permitted to enforce sharia law, following special autonomy granted by the central government in 2001. Located on Sumatra's northern tip, the region maintains strict prohibitions against numerous activities considered violations of Islamic principles.
"As promised, we make no exceptions, especially not for our own members. This certainly tarnishes our name," stated Mr Rizal, highlighting that even sharia police officers are subject to the same punishments when found in violation of the code.
Broader Context of Public Caning in Aceh
The couple were among six individuals punished on the same day for various sharia violations. Another case involved a sharia police officer and his female partner, who each received 23 lashes for being together in a private space.
Public caning remains widely practised throughout Aceh province, with authorities employing the punishment for multiple offences including:
- Gambling activities
- Alcohol consumption
- Same-sex relations
- Extramarital sexual relationships
These punishments are typically administered in public spaces and regularly attract crowds of spectators, maintaining what human rights organisations describe as a culture of public shaming and deterrence.
Human Rights Concerns and International Criticism
Human rights groups have consistently condemned Aceh's public caning practices, describing them as cruel and degrading punishments that violate international human rights standards. Last year, two men received 76 lashes each after a sharia court found them guilty of sexual relations, prompting strong criticism from Amnesty International.
Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International's regional research director, commented on that case: "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 institutionalised stigma and abuse faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Aceh."
The recent 140-lash sentence has renewed concerns about the severity of punishments being administered in the province and the physical toll such floggings take on those subjected to them, particularly given the medical emergency that occurred during this latest public caning.
