UMVA has learned that in a disturbing display of brutal punishment, two women and two men were publicly tortured for having sex outside of marriage in Indonesia's Aceh province.
The four individuals received 100 lashes each under Sharia Law, a punishment that has sparked widespread criticism for its cruelty. One woman, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was unable to withstand the pain and passed out, forcing Sharia police and law enforcement officers to carry her away.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the woman's partner, one of the men, visibly winced as she was beaten before he received the same punishment. The head of Aceh's Islamic police force, Muhammad Rizal, claimed that the women were sex workers and the men were their customers.
In this region of Indonesia, which is largely Muslim, unwed couples are forbidden from having sex under the strict laws. Sharia Law, which is based on the Quran, serves as a moral and legal code that Muslims must follow, outlining principles for daily life, including prayer, fasting, and punishments.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the punishments doled out under Sharia Law have been criticized by many for breaching Indonesia's constitution and violating international human rights laws. The laws forbid not only sex outside of marriage but also activities like gambling and drinking alcohol, with those found guilty facing lashings or even more severe punishments.
Under Sharia Law, the consequences for crimes can be severe, including physical torture, often performed publicly. For example, theft can result in the offender having their hand chopped off, while a woman found guilty of adultery can be stoned to death. Other offenses that result in physical punishment include gambling, drinking alcohol, and having gay sex.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that five others were also caned on Thursday, receiving between nine and 23 lashes for various crimes, including two people who were found guilty of being in proximity to someone of the opposite sex. A male Sharia police officer and a woman received 23 lashes after being caught near each other in a private place.
Rizal stated that the punishments were a necessary enforcement of the law, saying, "As promised, we make no exceptions, especially not for our own members. This certainly tarnishes our name." However, human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned such practices as a form of punishment, citing concerns about their legality and morality.
