Two male university students in a conservative province in Indonesia have been sentenced to flogging after neighbours caught them having consensual gay sex.

Homosexuality is not illegal in most of Indonesia, but same-sexual activity is criminalised in two provinces of Indonesia: Aceh and South Sumatra.

Sentences for so-called "morality" offences include a maximum penalty of eight years' imprisonment and 100 lashes.

The Associated Press reports that police arrested the two Aceh men, aged 18 and 24, in the provincial capital Banda Aceh on November 7.

Vigilante neighbours suspected the men of being gay and broke into their rented room. The intruders caught the men naked together and embracing each other, and reported them to police.

A Shariah court judge said prosecutors had "legally and convincingly" proven the two students had gay sex.

"During the trial, it was proven that the defendants committed illicit acts, including kissing and having sex," the judge said, per AP.

"As Muslims, the defendants should uphold the Shariah law that prevails in Aceh."

The judge sentenced the 24-year-old and 18-year-old to 85 and 80 strokes of the cane, respectively. Human rights groups say the punishment is not just unjust but amounts to torture.

The two men's convictions follow similar court cases in Aceh in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

In those cases, vigilante neighbours caught the gay men having sex and reported them to police.

The courts also sentenced those men to a public caning (pictured above), sparking outrage from human rights groups.

Gay sex party raided by police in Jakarta

While homosexuality is not illegal in the rest of Indonesia, queer Indonesians face discrimination and persecution.

In recent years, political leaders and police have increasingly targeted the country's LGBTQIA+ communities with homophobic rhetoric and raids.

Human rights groups warn police use Indonesia's anti-pornography laws to target queer people.

This month, police in Jakarta raided and arrested 56 men at a private event in a hotel. Officers described the gathering as a "gay sex party."

Reuters reported three of the men accused of organising the event face serious charges under Indonesia's anti-pornography laws.

If convicted of facilitating so-called "pornography services", the accused could face prison sentences of up to 15 years, Reuters reported.

The raid followed authorities shutting down a gay bar in the city on New Year's Eve.

Officers entered Jakarta's Bunker Bar after locals complained and harassed patrons in the venue over queer parties.

Police send a 'terrifying message' to queer Indonesians

Human rights activists have criticised Indonesian authorities for misusing laws to unfairly persecute LGBTQIA+ communities.

After a previous raid on a "gay party" in 2020, Amnesty International said there was "no legal justification" for targeting men meeting privately.

"Such a gathering would pose no threat to anyone," Amnesty Indonesia's Usman Hamid said.

"The authorities are being discriminatory and violating the human rights to privacy and family life, freedom of expression, and the freedom of assembly and association.

"Raids like these send a terrifying message to LGBTI people.

"No one should be targeted and arrested because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. The police should be keeping everyone safe, not stoking more discrimination."

Source: https://qnews.com.au/two-men-in-indonesia-sentenced-to-flogging-for-having-gay-sex