Nani Afrida, Jakarta – The Commission on Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Aceh said on Thursday that it was very important for the government to review some sections of four sharia bylaws (Qanun) as they led to abuses of authority.

"We are seeking a review of the Qanun because they lead to double standards and abuses of human rights," KontraS Aceh Coordinator Destika Gilang Lestari told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The bylaws in question are Qanun No. 11/2003 on Islamic dress and Islamic code of conduct; No. 12/2003 on liquor, No. 13/2003 on gambling and No. 14/2003 on intimacy or indecency between unmarried couples. Breaches of these bylaws are punishable by caning.

KontraS Aceh noted that during 2011 there were 46 human rights violations related to sharia implementation.

The violations were inflicted on suspects by angry mobs taking the law into their own hands. At least nine cases happened in North Aceh, six in Lhokseumawe and Bireun, and five in Great Aceh.

"The number of such violent incidents in 2011 was slightly lower compared to the 55 cases in 2010. However, it is still serious because people's human rights are being violated," Gilang said.

According to the commission, violations carried out by ordinary citizens against suspected infringers of sharia law, included forced hair cutting, bathing in ponds and beatings.

"They usually beat and harass the suspects before handing them over to the sharia police for further investigation," she said, adding that KontraS found evidence of 26 cases of forcible bathing and 15 beatings.

Gilang said the involvement of ordinary citizens in committing abuses and harassments had a spurious legality in Aceh particularly because of the punishments stipulated in the bylaws. For example, Bylaw No. 14 on intimacy mentions that local people should be involved in sharia law enforcement. "The government must review and limit these bylaws," she said.

KontraS Aceh also reported that during 2011 there were five canings held in Aceh. Two occurred in Great Aceh and Langsa respectively, with one in Aceh Tamiang. By comparison there were only two canings carried out in 2010.

Gilang said that KontraS Aceh had detected discrimination in the implementation of canings in Aceh. She cited as an example a couple who were found to be having an affair, the man was freed as he was a soldier, but his girlfriend was caned in front of the public.