Harsh Punishment for Unmarried Couple in Indonesia
In a deeply traditional region of Indonesia known as Aceh province, an unmarried man and woman were publicly disciplined with 140 lashes each. Their offenses? They were found guilty of having sexual relations outside of wedlock and consuming alcohol.
Strict Laws in Aceh
The region of Aceh has the unique distinction of being the only area in Indonesia where a version of sharia, or Islamic law, is enforced. Under these strict rules, intimate relationships between individuals who aren't married are prohibited.
Public Discipline
After their sentence was announced, the pair were led to a public park. Here, they were struck on their backs with a rattan stick in full view of bystanders. The woman, overwhelmed by the severity of her punishment, passed out and had to be rushed to an ambulance.
The man and woman each received 100 lashes for their sexual relationship and a further 40 for alcohol consumption. This, it is believed, is one of the highest counts of cane lashes given out since Aceh adopted sharia after gaining special autonomy in 2001.
No Exception to the Rule
Interestingly, the aforementioned couple were not the only ones who faced public discipline on that day. In total, six individuals were flogged for violating the Islamic code. This included a sharia police officer and his female companion who were found in an intimate setting in private. The officer and his partner each received 23 lashes.
Despite the officer being a member of the sharia police, the authorities made it clear that there would be no exceptions to the rule. This incident was a clear signal that even those who enforce the law are not above it.
Other Offenses
Caning is a common form of punishment in Aceh for various offenses. These can range from gambling and drinking alcohol to engaging in homosexual relations and having sex outside of marriage. Men can also be punished for failing to attend Friday prayers.
Just last year, two men were publicly flogged 76 times each after being found guilty by the sharia court of having a sexual relationship. They were discovered in a compromising situation in a public restroom.
Autonomy and Law Enforcement
Despite the harsh nature of these laws, the federal government in Indonesia is powerless to intervene in Aceh's Sharia law enforcement. This is due to the autonomy granted to the region in 2001. This means that while there is no national law against homosexual relations in Indonesia, such acts are punishable in Aceh.