Cane given to women who tried to have lesbian sex

Two Malaysian Muslim women convicted under Islamic laws of attempting to have sex were caned yesterday in a rare public whipping that was slammed by lawmakers and rights activists as a form of torture.

Lawyers and activists said the women, aged 22 and 32, were seated on stools facing the judges. They were given six strokes from a light rattan cane on their backs by female prison officers.

More than 100 people witnessed the caning in a Shariah courtroom in northeast Terengganu state.

Muslim Lawyers’ Association deputy president Abdul Rahim Sinwan said the punishment under Islamic laws was not painful or harsh and was meant to educate the women so they would repent.

Human rights groups slammed the punishment as a setback.