Brunei: entry into force of a law condemning stoning to homosexuality and adultery

Brunei promulgates new strict Islamic laws that punish the stoning of gay bad and adultery, despite fierce condemnation on a global scale.

In 2013, the small predominantly Muslim kingdom became the first country in East Asia to adopt Sharia law and enact laws and sanctions in several stages, the new measures to take effect this Wednesday, April 3 .

In the second and third stages of the penal code, badual relations between two men are punishable by stoning, while bad between two women is punishable by 100 lashes.

The law also provides for severe penalties such as the amputation of a limb in the event of theft and imprisonment to dress up as a person of different bad.

Brunei, a former oil-rich British protectorate with a population of about 450,000, is ruled by Sultan Hbadbad Bolkiah, also prime minister.

His decision to implement the sanctions sparked an international outcry among governments, rights groups, the United Nations and many celebrities.

Today, Human Rights Watch described the new penal code as "barbaric in heart" and urged the Sultan to "immediately suspend amputations, stoning and all other provisions and penalties that constitute an abuse of rights".

It is believed that the 72-year-old sultan is one of the richest people in the region, thanks to the oil industry of Brunei. In announcing the introduction of these new laws, the government site quoted him as saying that his government "does not expect other people to accept it and agree with them, but that it would be enough that they respect the nation in the same way he respects them. "

Yesterday, the US State Department joined the critics and declared that the laws were contrary to Brunei's international human rights obligations, "particularly with regard to torture and other penalties or treatment. cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment ". .

Fear of the LGBT community

Brunei's LGBT community has expressed its fear of living under the new laws. Khairul, a young homobadual who spoke to CNN by phone, said that they were "inhuman". "It's a very aggressive punishment.This is not something that a human should suffer … just to be homobadual," he added.

He and others interviewed by CNN for this story have asked that their true identities be hidden by concerns for their safety and that of their families.

Zain, a transgender woman, said she had been living in fear since 2013, when the sultan first announced that the country would adopt Sharia law.

"Everyone is touched, it will be horrible to live there, even if you are not LGBT," said Zain, who is now seeking asylum in Canada. "Women in particular would be very disadvantaged there."

International reaction

The laws have attracted the attention of celebrities, including George Clooney, who has called for a boycott of nine hotels related to the Brunei government.

Singer Elton John and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson also joined the review.

But the country does not intend to change course, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei released Saturday.

"Brunei Darussalam is a sovereign and totally independent Islamic country and, like all independent countries, it applies its own rule of law," the statement said.

Source: CNN