
A woman walks past by a sign advising people to wear Muslim attire at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh. A local lawmaker says a controverisial bill allowing Shariah-style stoning and caning has gone into effect in the province. (Photo: Heri Juanda, AP)
Thanks to R.E.A.L. for informing us.
Indonesia… Banda Aceh. A controversial bill that includes a provision for the stoning to death of adulterers is now officially law, even without the signature of the Aceh governor, a local councilor said on Thursday.
The draft of the Qanun Jinayat Code, a set of bylaws that replaces elements of the Criminal Code with Shariah provisions for Muslims, was endorsed by the Aceh Legislative Council on Sept. 14.
The measures call for the stoning of adulterers and 100 lashes for anyone caught engaging in premarital sex, among its other punishments.
The ratification of the bill has been sharply criticized by human rights activists, and Governor Irwandi Yusuf reportedly refused to sign it into law.
Moharriadi Syafari, a councilor from the Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said the main reason for the law was to “save” people in Aceh from acts not approved by religion.
“Human rights activists should not see the Qanun Jinayat from a narrow-minded perspective, as though it breaches human rights, because basically Islamic law has a high respect for human rights,” Syafari said.
He said the bill automatically became law 30 days after being endorsed by the council despite the governor’s refusal to endorse the measure. Continue Reading →