Two women and two men were publicly tortured in Indonesia's Aceh province on Thursday for having sex outside of marriage. Islamic officials imposed a punishment of 100 lashes each under Sharia law.
Woman Faints During Flogging
One woman, who has not been publicly identified, could no longer take the flogging and passed out from the pain, according to the AFP. Sharia police and other law enforcement officers were forced to carry the woman away. One of the men, believed to be the woman's partner, winced as she was beaten before he received the same punishment.
Muhammad Rizal, the head of Aceh's Islamic police force, stated: "The women are sex workers, and the men are their customers."
Sharia Law in Aceh
Under the brutal laws in Aceh, which is largely Muslim, unwed couples are not allowed to have sex. Sharia law abides by the legal and moral code of Islam, requiring Muslims to follow principles set by the Quran. These laws serve as a guideline for Muslims to live according to God's wishes, including prayer, fasting, and punishments.
The way Sharia doles out punishment has been criticized by many, who say the torture breaches Indonesia's constitution and violates international human rights laws. Aside from sex outside marriage, gambling and drinking alcohol are also forbidden, and those found guilty could face lashings or worse.
Other Punishments Under Sharia
Theft can be punishable by having the offender's hand chopped off. A woman found guilty of adultery can be stoned to death. Other offences that result in physical torture, often performed publicly, include gambling, drinking alcohol, and having gay sex. Caning is not considered legal in many parts of Indonesia, but many in Aceh have argued for it. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly condemned caning as a form of punishment.
Additional Canings on Thursday
Five others were caned on Thursday, according to the outlet. They received between nine and 23 lashes for crimes, including two people who were found guilty of being in proximity of someone of the opposite sex. A male Sharia police officer and a woman received 23 lashes after they were caught near one another in a private place.
Rizal said after the beatings: "As promised, we make no exceptions, especially not for our own members. This certainly tarnishes our name."
