Two men in Indonesia’s Aceh province were publicly caned for hugging and kissing, acts deemed violations of Shariah law that can lead to banned sexual relations.

Sentenced to 80 lashes each, the men were whipped in a city park in Banda Aceh, witnessed by about 100 people.

Aceh is the only Indonesian province enforcing Shariah law, which also punishes adultery, gambling, and other moral offenses, CBS News has reported.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the caning as discriminatory and cruel, highlighting ongoing abuse and stigma against LGBTQ+ individuals in the region.