|
Public caning in Banda Aceh, Indonesia |
A woman kneels and grimaces as she is lashed with a cane for having unmarried sex in an Indonesian province which is ruled under Sharia law in newly released photographs.
The images show women dressed in white and sitting with their heads bowed as they wait their turn to be punished in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
In one photo, a woman can be seen kneeling on a red platform as her back is whipped with a cane in front of guards and members of the public.
Aceh is the only province in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country that is allowed to implement Islamic Sharia law.
Although public whipping is a common punishment in the province, it is rare for women to be caned.
Further images show men also being punished after being accused of violating Sharia law.
Three women and 14 men arrested for sexual offences and gambling were caned in front of a mosque following Friday prayer.
Gay sex, gambling and drinking alcohol are already punishable by caning in Aceh which began implementing Sharia law after being granted special autonomy in 2001, an effort by the central government in Jakarta to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.
A flurry of new Islamic laws have been introduced in Aceh in recent years, drawing howls of protest from rights groups.
Earlier this year, Banda Aceh banned women from entertainment venues after 11pm unless they are accompanied by a husband or male family member. Aceh district has also banned unmarried men and women from riding together on motorbikes.
|
Public caning in Banda Aceh, Indonesia |
|
Public caning in Banda Aceh, Indonesia |
|
Waiting their turn... |
Source: Mail Online, September 18, 2015