Indonesia to ban physical relations before marriage, passed a law making live-in relations a crime

Indonesia has made changes in its law. The Parliament here has changed its penal code and has now brought physical relations made with someone before marriage into the category of illegal and crime. According to this law, only husband and wife can have physical relations. On the other hand, if a married couple has sex with someone other than their partner, they will be punished. This much-awaited and controversial amendment will be applicable to the citizens of the country and foreigners alike. 

Relationship outside marriage and live-in relationship is a crime

The legislation was finalized by Parliament in November as a bill and passed by MPs on Tuesday. According to this amendment, there is now a provision of one year in prison for having sex outside marriage in Indonesia. Apart from this, living in a live-in relationship has also come under the ambit of crime. There is a provision of imprisonment of up to six months for this. Apart from the provision of jail, fine can also be imposed for these offences.

Will have a big impact on the LGBT community

However, in these cases, the police can take action only when a complaint is lodged with the police by the husband-wife, parents or children. Under the law, the complaint can also be withdrawn before the trial in the court, but once the trial starts, action will be taken according to the law. Changes to these regulations could have a major impact on the LGBT community in Indonesia. Please tell, same-sex marriage is not allowed in Indonesia. 

There was a protest against this law

Let me tell you, the Indonesian government had prepared to implement this law about three years ago. But thousands of people opposed it and took to the streets in protest. He called it a violation of freedom of speech. During that time, seeing the seriousness of the situation, the government had taken its steps back. While passing it now, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said, "We have tried our best to accommodate the important issues and different opinions that were debated However, it is time for us to take a historic decision on penal code amendment and leave behind the colonial criminal code".

Criminalizing abortion

At the same time, in this new amendment, contraception or religious condemnation has also been declared illegal in the country. For this, a provision of three years in jail has been made. Along with this, abortion has also been put in the category of crime. But in this, those women who are in danger of their life by maintaining the pregnancy or who have become pregnant after rape, are considered exceptions. But a condition has also been laid for abortion that the fetus is less than 12 weeks old. As already regulated in the 'Medical Practice' Act of 2004.