| Country: | Indonesia |
| Details of Formation: | As part of the autonomy deal (2001) to stop the secession war, Aceh was given the right to apply Sharia Law in full in Aceh. The Sharia Police, or Wilayatul Hisbah, emerged, paid by the Aceh government and acting as a parallel police force. It is armed with canes, which it uses to distribute 'justice'. After the autonomy deal, Aceh was allowed to have its own Sharia Police. The group was officially created by Governor’s decree 1/2004 – the same year the first activity is reported. |
| Details of Termination: | Still active in 2007 |
| Purpose: | As the name suggests, the group was intended to implement Sharia law in the province of Aceh, acting as a police force. It covered issues such as alcohol consumption, gambling, clothing and relationships. This conservative application of law was meant to pursue the overarching aim of pacifying the Acehnese. |
| Organisation: | The group was active in Aceh under the authority of the provincial and local governments and was authorized to implement police duties. Mazuki Abdullad was the head of Aceh’s force. |
| Weapons and Training: | Members were armed with canes. |
| Size: | In 2004 there were only 70 members, a number which reportedly grew to 6,300 in August 2010. |
| Reason for Membership: | The group’s manner of operating and overall aim suggests religious conviction as a reason to join. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The group arrested civilians based on violations of Sharia law and caned/beat people in case of these violations. The violence was primarily directed at women, who were also sometimes raped. Since about 2017, the group seems to be increasingly focused on the repression of the LGBTQ community. |
| Other Information: | The group is also known as Wilayatul Hisbah (“Control Team”). |
| References: |
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. Cammack, Mark E., & Feener, R. Michael. 2012. “The Islamic legal system in Indonesia.” Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal 21(1): 13-42. |