Indonesia
Muslim Communities Thwart Indonesian Protections For Gays

A decision by the Indonesian government to allow areas of the country semi-autonomous power is having a devastating effect on the country's gays a leading local newspaper reports.

In granting local authorities the right to use Islamic law gays are reportedly being round up and prosecuted despite a federal constitution which has in the past guaranteed LGBT civil rights.

Indonesia has the largest number of Muslims in the world. Although the federal government is secular the Jakarta Post reports that many provincial government have invoked Sharia law.

Several local governments, the paper says, have recently passed laws making homosexuality illegal, banned alcohol and require women to wear headscarves and not travel alone at night.

This week LGBT rights group Arus Pelangi appealed to the federal ministry of Justice and Human Rights to force the regions to comply with national law.

"Such ordinances are politically charged to please the majority,' Rido Triawan, director of Arus Pelangi, told ministry officials during a meeting the Post reports.

Rido said that gays and transsexuals are frequently beaten on the streets in some areas.

A government spokesperson said the issue will be taken under advisement but in some areas where Sharia law is in effect, the government has little control.