Source : AP
JAKARTA | 23 May 2011

Amnesty International is urging Indonesia to stop the growing use of caning as a punishment in Aceh province.

The London-based rights group says at least 21 people have been publicly caned in Aceh this month for gambling. Sixteen people were caned last year.

The group's director for Asia and the Pacific, Sam Zarifi, said Sunday that caning is a cruel and inhumane punishment that can cause permanent injury. Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that permits caning.

A version of Islamic law was introduced in the province in 2001 as part of negotiations to end the 29-year war between separatist rebels and the military. The law bans gambling, drinking alcohol and makes it compulsory for women to wear headscarves.