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YLBHI presents expert who opposes petition against extramarital sex, homosexuality
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Constitutional Court (MK) judges read a verdict at MK building in Jakarta on Jan. 11. YLBHI presented at the court on Thursday an expert witness who says the state should not criminalize extramarital and homosexual sex. (The Jakarta Post/Safrin La Batu)
H
uman rights defenders fought back at the Constitutional Court on Thursday as they presented an expert witness who says the state should not intervene in private affairs in an argument that goes in opposition of a petition seeking to criminalize both consensual sex outside marriage and homosexual sex.
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), which was absent in last week's hearing session, brought its first expert witness, Ahmad Sofian, who argued that criminalizing consensual adult sex would bring only negative, unnecessary effects to society where unregistered marriages still occur.
"[Should it be criminalized] the state would eventually turn into a moral guardian, instead of focusing on its responsibility to maintain public order," Ahmad, who is an expert in criminal law, said.
He argued that the provisions in question laid in the Criminal Code were actually already aimed at protecting marriages and families.
(Read also: MK justices want casual sex outlawed)
YLBHI is currently exercising its legal standing in the hearing as the party that opposes the petition that was filed by a number of individuals of various backgrounds including lecturers, housewives and private employees grouped under the Family Love Alliance (AILA). The petition aims to alter some provisions in the Criminal Code to criminalize both consensual sex outside marriage and homosexual activities.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has also publicly opposed the petition. (jun)
