Indonesia: Two Men Caned for Hugging, Highlighting Aceh’s Sharia Law
In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, two men were publicly caned after being convicted of violating Islamic law due to hugging and kissing. The men, aged 20 and 21, received 80 lashes each in front of an audience. This punishment is allowed under Aceh’s Shariah law, which permits caning for offenses like homosexuality. Human rights groups have criticized the practice as discriminatory and inhumane, despite local support.
John Q. Hosedrinker