VP/HR — Two gay men sentenced to 85 lashes in Indonesia

27.6.2017

Question for written answer E-004252-17
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Marietje Schaake (ALDE) , Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE)

Two Indonesian men have today each been sentenced to 85 lashes by an Islamic court in the Indonesian province of Aceh for being in a gay relationship[1].

The ruling follows the implementation of Sharia law in the province two years ago and comes in addition to increased attacks on religious minorities and persecution of gay people in Indonesia, and the recent imprisonment of the (Christian) governor of Jakarta on blasphemy charges.

1. Is the VP/HR aware of the case of these men and the deteriorating situation of LGBTI people in Indonesia? If so, will she raise the issue of their plight with the Indonesian authorities in accordance with the commitment made by the EU in its 2013 LGBTI Guidelines?

2. Were representatives of the EU delegation to Indonesia present in the court room during the trial and sentencing of these men and will either the VP/HR or her representatives in Indonesia intervene in this matter before their sentences are carried out?

3. Does the VP/HR, together with the Commissioner responsible, plan to review the implementation and effectiveness of the LGBTI Guidelines and their integration into the EU’s external relations and external financing instruments?

• [1] http://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-lgbt-caning-idUSKCN18D0QQ