ACEH, Indonesia (HRNW)- In a controversial enforcement of Sharia law, a couple in Aceh, Indonesia, was publicly flogged 140 times for allegedly consuming alcohol and engaging in sexual relations outside marriage. Witnesses reported that the punishment was carried out in a crowded public square, drawing both attention and condemnation from human rights observers.
Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that enforces strict Islamic law, including corporal punishment for offenses such as drinking alcohol, adultery, and gambling. Officials maintain that such measures are necessary to uphold religious and moral codes. Critics, however, argue that these practices violate international human rights norms, particularly the rights to dignity, freedom from cruel or degrading punishment, and gender equality.
Human rights organizations have called for reform of local laws, emphasizing that punishments of this nature can cause lasting physical and psychological harm and disproportionately affect women and vulnerable populations.
This incident underscores the ongoing tension between religious law enforcement and universal human rights standards, sparking debates about reform and protection for individuals in Aceh and similar jurisdictions.
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