Statement by the Spokesperson on the sentencing of five men to caning in Malaysia

11.11.2019
Brussels

Five men have been sentenced in the Sharia High Court in the State of Selangor to caning and imprisonment for allegedly attempting to have same-sex relations. Caning – a form of corporal punishment – constitutes a breach of their human rights, and is a cruel, inhumane and degrading practice, and a form of torture.

The human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons are protected under existing international human rights law and relevant international conventions. The principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights applies to all human beings without distinction of any kind.

The European Union expects the five men to be released immediately and for the human rights of all LGBTI persons to be guaranteed and protected according to Malaysia's international obligations.