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An Acehnese woman covers her face as she is caned in public for violating sharia law in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 20 April 2018. In Aceh - a deeply conservative province in Muslim-majority Indonesia - two women accused of prostitution were caned 11 times each. Three unmarried couples accused of “flirtatious behaviour” also received between 11 and 22 strokes. Shariah police wanted to convict the couples of “zina” – unlawful sexual intercourse that includes sex outside marriage and adultery – which would have resulted in a greater number of lashes, but they lacked enough witnesses. One of the two women convicted of prostitution held up her hands after the fifth lash to signal that the pain was too intense. After a quick break she was given a drink and painfully lashed another six times. Members of the crowd, which included tourists from Malaysia, cheered enthusiastically at each blow and recorded the punishment with their smartphones. Aceh is the only part of Indonesia to enforce Sharia law. The province’s actions were condemned by many and the governor of Aceh announced earlier this month that punishments would be moved indoors. After this display last week, canings will likely only happen in prisons where the public can’t see them. Many residents are opposed to hiding them, believing it will reduce the deterrent and cause more people to violate Shariah law. (Photo by Raihal Fajri/EPA/EFE)
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