Malaysian women caned for ‘attempting lesbian sex’
LGBT groups express dismay as pair given six strokes for violating sharia law
Two women have been caned in a Malaysian courtroom for “attempting to have lesbian sex”.
The pair, aged 22 and 32, “were seated on stools facing the judges and given six strokes from a light rattan cane on their backs by female prison officers” this morning, the Associated Press reports.
The women, dressed in white gowns and headscarves, apparently remained silent during the lashing, which was carried out in front of several dozen spectators, including members of the public.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sharia law enforcement officers arrested the two women in a compromising state inside a vehicle in the conservative north-eastern state of Terengganu in April this year, says The Guardian.
On 12 August they were found guilty of “musahaqah”, sexual acts between women, in the Terengganu sharia high court and sentenced to six lashes each, in addition to a 3,300 Malaysian Ringgit (£620) fine.
Under the Malaysian legal system, Muslim citizens are subject both to secular criminal and civil law and to sharia laws governing religious adherence, while the sizable Buddhist, Christian and Hindu minorities have no obligation to obey Islamic law.
The caning “occurred amid a climate of fear and discrimination against Malaysia's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community”, says the Associated Press, and drew criticism from LGBT and human rights activists.
In a statement, Amnesty International Malaysia said that people “should not live in fear because they are attracted to people of the same sex” and decried caning as “a form of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”.
“The Malaysian authorities must immediately repeal repressive laws, outlaw torturous punishments and ratify the UN Convention Against Torture,” the group said.
However, the judge who presided over the caning dismissed the idea that it was a harsh or torturous punishment.
“Under syariah [shariah], caning is not meant to hurt or torture the offender,” Judge Kamalruazmi Ismail told the courtroom following the execution of the sentence.
He said that the sentence was “a lesson, a reminder and deterrent to the offenders and society not to commit it in the future”, Malaysian daily newspaper The Star reports.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published