Amnesty International issued a strong condemnation after two young men were publicly flogged in Indonesia's Aceh province, a punishment meted out under the region's Islamic criminal law for engaging in consensual same-sex activities. This incident spotlights the harsh realities of the qanun jinayat, the Islamic bylaws operational in Aceh since 2015, which penalize acts like adultery, gambling, alcohol consumption, and same-sex relations with severe corporal punishment.

Located at the northern tip of Sumatra, Aceh is the only Indonesian province that criminalizes consensual same-sex acts, leveraging its special autonomy status to enforce these laws. The men, aged 20 and 21, were subjected to 76 lashes each, a spectacle observed and recorded by a crowd in Banda Aceh, illustrating a grim scene of public humiliation and torture.

Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director, expressed dismay at the flogging, describing it as "a disturbing act of state-sanctioned discrimination and cruelty." She emphasized the broader implications for the LGBTQ+ community in Aceh, who face institutionalized stigma and abuse under such laws.

The international community, including bodies like the UN Human Rights Committee, has repeatedly urged the Indonesian government to abolish corporal punishment and shield LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. Despite these calls, and Indonesia’s ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention Against Torture, local authorities in Aceh continue to justify the qanun jinayat as reflections of local customs and Islamic values.

The central government in Jakarta, while historically upholding Aceh's autonomy, faces criticism for permitting violations of constitutional commitments to equality and non-discrimination. This latest incident underscores the ongoing conflict between local legal practices in Aceh and Indonesia’s obligations under international human rights standards.

Amnesty International has appealed to the Indonesian government to halt the practice of public caning immediately and to decriminalize consensual same-sex relations across the nation. This event is part of a continuing series of similar punishments in Aceh, which have drawn widespread condemnation from various human rights organizations since the enactment of the Islamic criminal laws.

The persistence of such practices highlights significant human rights challenges in Indonesia, revealing the stark contrast between local legislations and global human rights commitments.