Human rights activists have slammed the nation of Malaysia for punishing homosexual behavior by caning. Recently, the nation convicted four men of homosexual crimes, all of whom were caned as a penalty according to the South China Morning Post.
Caning involves lashes with a bamboo cane about the buttocks in a punishment similar to medieval whipping. The aforementioned men received six strokes each. The cane removes the outer layers of skin and tissue, often cutting deep into the muscle tissue below. Recipients often pass out from the pain and experience severe scarring as a result.
In the case of the four Malaysian men, courts convicted them of “intercourse against the order of nature” after religious authorities discovered the group had planned a discreet party for gay men. Malaysia, a mostly Muslim country, strictly enforces Shahira law.
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50 police officers raided the party, arresting 11 people. In addition to the four men already caned, a further six await punishment and one has appealed his sentence. All of the convicted offenders will receive prison terms in addition to their corporal punishment.
“These vicious punishments … are the actual crimes being committed here,” said Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu, executive director of Amnesty International’s Malaysia chapter. “Malaysia should be creating an environment in which LGBT people are free from discrimination, not ensnaring and beating innocent people.”
The criticism of Malaysia’s treatment of LGBTQ people is hardly new. Last year, the nation came under fire for caning a pair of women convicted of lesbian sex. Earlier in 2019, a Malaysian politician caught having sex on tape with another man had his political career ruined and faced similar punishment.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Why do these backwards smcubag “countries” always seem to have punishments focused on a bare butt?
djmcgamester
Religion of Peace. Religion of Peace. Religion of Peace. If we say it enough times will it be true?
gymmuscleboy
@djmcgamester Islam is beautiful because it is diverse or something, OK? It is not a race, but it is beyond criticism, and if you disagree then you are racist. Trust me, it makes perfect sense.
JessPH
Where are the sanctions by the international community against Malaysia? Ugh.
jcoberkrom
Malaysia has a huge tourist industry. Hit ‘um where it hurts!!!
irbaboon
remind me again why I am not supposed to hate muslims?
Sanjo
The reason you may not want to hate Muslims is because the cruelty seen in Malaysia is no different than what’s been seen by most groups at one time or another across the globe. The reason you may want to hate Muslims is because it’s easier to focus on a target.
gymmuscleboy
@Sanjo The key point is “one time or another”; Muslims tend to behave the way we (westerners) did 100+ years ago. That is cause for criticism and concern.