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Public caning in Aceh sets record for severity
A 21-year-old woman and her partner received a combined 140 cane strokes in Indonesia's Aceh province on Thursday for violating Sharia law by having sex outside marriage and consuming alcohol. The punishment marked the harshest public caning recorded in the region, according to local authorities.
Woman collapses during punishment
Three female officers took turns striking the woman with a rattan cane as she wept. She fainted after the lashes and was carried offstage by officers before being taken to an ambulance. The man, whose age was not disclosed, endured his punishment without collapsing.
Sharia law enforcement in Aceh
Aceh is the only province in Muslim-majority Indonesia where Islamic criminal code is enforced. Under local regulations, extramarital sex carries a penalty of 100 cane strokes, while alcohol consumption warrants 40 strokes. The couple's combined sentence reflected both offenses.
Other violators punished alongside couple
Four additional individuals, including an officer from Aceh's Islamic police force, were caned during the same session. The officer and his female companion received 23 strokes each for being alone together in a private residence. Muhammad Rizal, head of the Islamic police, confirmed the officer would be dismissed from his position.
Criticism from human rights groups
Rights advocates have long condemned public canings as cruel and inhumane. Azharul Husna, Aceh coordinator for Indonesian rights group Kontras, argued that the punishment lacks proper regulation and called for reforms to support individuals after their sentences. "The rules should be improved," Husna said, emphasizing the need for post-punishment care.
Broader context of Sharia in Aceh
While Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Aceh remains the sole province permitted to enforce Sharia law. Public canings are routinely carried out for offenses such as gambling, adultery, and same-sex relations, drawing international scrutiny.
