Indonesia bans sex outside of marriage
Indonesia has passed a new criminal code that bans sex outside of marriage punishable by up to a year in prison.
Critics say it’s part of a series of changes by Indonesian lawmakers that aims to erode people’s rights.
There are fears the new law, which won’t come into effect for another three years, could scare off tourists as the law will apply to both residents and visitors of the country.
The code includes several “morality” laws that make it illegal for an unmarried couple to live together and have sex. Adultery will also be an offence for which people can be jailed.
It will affect women, LGBT and ethnic minorities in the country more than anyone else, according to rights groups.
The new criminal code also includes a ban on insulting the president and speaking out against state ideology.
There are now six blasphemy laws in the code, including apostasy – renouncing a religion. For the first time since its independence, Indonesia will make it illegal to persuade someone to be a non-believer.
Indonesia tourism
Maulana Yusran, deputy chief of Indonesia’s tourism industry board, said the new bill was “totally counter-productive” at a time when the economy and tourism were starting to recover from the pandemic.
“Hotels or any accommodation facilities are like second homes for tourists. With the ratification of this criminal code, hotels are now problematic places,” he said.
LGBT threat
Experts say that an article in the code on customary law could reinforce discriminatory and sharia-inspired bylaws at a local level, and pose a particular threat to LGBT people.
“Regulations that are not in accordance with human rights principles will occur in conservative areas,” said Bivitri Susanti, from the Indonesia Jentera School of Law, referring to existing bylaws in some regions that impose curfews on women, or target what are described as “deviant” sexualities.
