The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has expressed its opposition to a judicial review filed by a civil organization that would criminalize extramarital sex, saying that such matters were private and did not require the permission of the state.

Casual sex is not a crime as long as it is consensual and does not result in one party becoming a victim, Komnas Peremuan chairwoman Azriana said at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.

"It's people's choice to have sexual intercourse outside of marriage. Let it be a private matter between them and their God," she said during the latest hearing of the judicial review of the Criminal Code, which if approved would outlaw extramarital and homosexual sex.

Extramarital sex is a moral issue, argued Azriana, adding that it would not be appropriate for law enforcement institutions to manage people's sex lives.

Azriana also expressed fear that if the justices granted the petition, it would criminalize couples whose marriage had not been registered with the state. To support its argument Komnas Perempuan will present couples who hold traditional beliefs and are unaffiliated with any specific religion at the next hearing.

The judicial review was submitted by The Family Love Alliance (AILA), a group of academics, who are requesting the redefinition of adultery, rape and sodomy in the Criminal Code. They filed the petition seeking to outlaw any sexual relationships outside of marriage, including same-sex relationships.

Azriana slammed the plaintiffs, saying that their request had no legal standing.

Moreover, she said that if the plaintiffs were concerned about sexual violence, it would be better for them to make suggestions to the lawmakers currently discussing the revision of the Criminal Code. (wnd/rin)