This Indonesian province is considering public caning for gay people

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A new law is being considered in a conservative province of Indonesia, which would make gay or lesbian sex punishable with public caning.

The new draft law, a version of Islamic Sharia law, is being considered in the Aceh province of Indonesia.

According to politicians there, including Moharriadi Syafari, a majority of officials there support a legal ban on gay sex.

The bill would be set to pass before Friday, the last day the assembly sits, and is currently being debated.

Since 2006, people in Aceh are already caned if found guilty of adultery or gambling.

Gay rights activists have said they would seek to have the law struck down by the federal government if it passed.