Indonesia’s harsh new laws

A new Islamic law in Indonesia’s devoutly Muslim Aceh province takes a strict interpretation of Sharia law including a provision to stone adulters to death. The “Islamic Crime Bill,” passed by the regional parliament on September 15, 2009, authorized the following punishments for adultery and homosexuality: “Any person who deliberately commits adultery is threatened with ...

580759_090918_caning22.jpg
580759_090918_caning22.jpg

A new Islamic law in Indonesia’s devoutly Muslim Aceh province takes a strict interpretation of Sharia law including a provision to stone adulters to death. The “Islamic Crime Bill,” passed by the regional parliament on September 15, 2009, authorized the following punishments for adultery and homosexuality:

“Any person who deliberately commits adultery is threatened with 100 cane lashes for the unmarried and stoning to death for those who are married.”

“Any person deliberately performing homosexuality or lesbianism is threatened with up to 100 cane lashes and a maximum fine of 1,000 grams of fine gold, or imprisonment of up to 100 months.”

Additionally, the law outlines the punishment for rape is a minimum of 100 cane lashes and a maximum of 300 cane lashes or imprisonment of at least 100 months and up to 200 cane lashes or a maximum imprisonment of 200 months for pedophiles.

The regional parliament passed this law in order to target “behavior considered morally unacceptable.”

Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

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