Indonesia Expat
News

Court Rejects Bid to Criminalize Gay and Extramarital Sex Despite Split Judges Decision

A panel of Constitutional Court judges was split in its ruling on a judicial review seeking to outlaw gay and extramarital sex, but eventually ruled against the petition made by a conservative group.

The efforts to outlaw homosexuality are currently being reviewed by some lawmakers in Parliament. However, the court petitioners called the Family Love Alliance, decided to take the matter to the top court themselves as they feared Parliament would take too long to enact the changes.

The 5-to-4 decision by the nine-judge panel of the Constitutional Court rejected the arguments of a conservative group, saying it is not the court’s role to criminalize private behaviour or to usurp Parliament by imposing laws on it.

“The argument that the process of formulating legislation takes a long time could not be justification for the Constitutional Court to take over the authority of lawmakers,” said Judge Saldi Isra, as quoted by CBSNews.

The four judges that was in favor of the petition, based their decision on moral grounds as argued by the petitioner, who believes that Indonesia is inundated with immoral behavior, fueled by the internet and social media.

The court’s verdict is seen as a victory for democracy and human rights in Indonesia.

“It’s such a big verdict,” said Community Legal Aid Institute lawyer Naila Rizqi Zakiah. “It means that the Constitutional Court is consistently strengthening its position as the guardian of the Constitution and also as protector of human rights.”    

Throughout the past year, authorities in the country have been aggressively targeting a clamp down on the gay community. In May, police raided a gay sauna in Jakarta, arresting 141 men using loosely defined pornography laws. This was followed another spa raid in October in which 51 people including several foreigners, were arrested.

 

See: 51 Men Arrested in Police Gay Spa Raid in Jakarta

Related posts

The Return of Foreign Tourists in Bali, September 2023

Indonesia Expat

Violence Against Women in Bali Decreases, Still An Issue to Tackle

Indonesia Expat

Health Protocol Violators in Bandung Face Push-ups

Indonesia Expat

Jakarta Independent Film Festival and CathayPlay Presents Road to 3rd JIFF

Indonesia Expat

Bali Airport to Re-open Despite Mt. Agung Turmoil

Indonesia Expat

The New Normal for Public Transport: Protocol Published

Indonesia Expat