Two Men Publicly Flogged for Gay Sex in Indonesia

In Indonesia's Aceh province, two men were publicly flogged for engaging in consensual same-sex relations, receiving 82 and 77 lashes, respectively, under strict Islamic law. This punishment, witnessed by dozens, is part of a broader trend of discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in the region, where similar cases have occurred since the introduction of Sharia law in 2006. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned the act as a horrifying form of discrimination and a violation of human rights, calling for an end to such practices. They highlighted the inhumane nature of flogging and urged the Indonesian government to align regional laws with international human rights standards. The incident has reignited discussions about the treatment of LGBTQ individuals in conservative regions of Indonesia, where public caning is still supported by segments of the population. Activists emphasize the need for urgent reforms to protect the rights of marginalized communities in Aceh.