Corpun file 26708 at www.corpun.com
The Independent, London, 14 August 2018
Two women in Malaysia sentenced to caning for having sex
"Adequate punishment must be meted out so this becomes a lesson," says judge Harriet Agerholm
Reuters
(extract)
Two women in Malaysia have been sentenced to caning for having sex with each other.
The ruling, by a sharia court in the conservative state of Terengganu, sparked outrage from human rights activists who said the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) community is facing increasing pressure from the Muslim-majority government.
The women, aged 32 and 22, were arrested in April after being found in a car in a public square. After pleading guilty they were sentenced to six strokes with a cane each and a 3,300 ringgit (£633) fine, according to Malay-language newspaper Sinar Harian.
"Adequate punishment must be meted out so that this becomes a lesson and reminder to not just the two of you, but the members of society," sharia judge Kamalruazmi Ismail said, according to the daily.
Caning does not take place in public view in Malaysia.
The women were released on bail and their sentence is set to be carried out on 28 August, although they have the right to appeal.
Malaysia has a dual-track legal system, with sharia courts managing some religious and family cases. Civil law stipulates jail for up to 20 years, caning and fines for oral or anal sex (whether same-sex or otherwise).
The country's Muslims are also governed by state-level Islamic laws, most of which carry provisions banning gay and lesbian sex.
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Follow-up: 5 September 2018 - Domestic laws not bound by UN treaties, PAS MPs say
