Aceh to do away with harsh punishments

07-06-2012

The governing party in the Islamic Indonesian province of Aceh has announced plans to do away with the harshest punishments associated with Shariah law. The Aceh Party intends to abandon plans for the stoning of adulterers and says it will abolish public caning for all other offences - including gambling and drinking alcohol. It says the punishments have been ineffective and have not been applied to corrupt officials.