On 28 January, six persons were caned in Aceh Province in Indonesia, two for same-sex relations, two for consuming alcohol, and two for extramarital sex. Caning is a form of corporal punishment that is cruel, degrading and contrary to human dignity.
Corporal punishment, in any form, is contrary to the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, and cannot be considered a lawful sanction under international law.
The European Union calls on Indonesia to honour its international obligations under the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, ratified by Indonesia in 1998.
The EU also emphasises that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons are protected under existing international human rights law and relevant international conventions without discrimination.
The EU recalls its mediation of the Helsinki Accord for the Aceh Peace Agreement in 2005 and calls for the harmonious development of Aceh Province based on the respect for human rights and for minorities.