Starting April 3rd, residents of Brunei who commit the “crimes” of adultery or gay sex can be legally punished with death by stoning. Thieves can be punished with the amputation of a hand or foot.
The draconian punishments – which can only be implemented if crimes are “witnessed by a group of Muslims” – are part of a strict Islamic legal system called Sharia Law.
Brunei announced in 2014 its decision to adopt Sharia Law, but was forced by global criticism to delay its implementation.
“As well as imposing cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishments, it [Sharia Law] blatantly restricts the rights to freedom of expression, religion, and belief and codifies discrimination against women and girls,” argues Amnesty International researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard.
“No one should face the death penalty because of who they love,” adds UK International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt. “Brunei’s decision is barbaric and the UK stands with the LGBT community and those who defend their rights. LGBT rights are human rights.”
Brunei is a tiny nation of about 430,000 people located on the island of Borneo. In recent years, it has grown even more conservative than its Islamic neighbors Malaysia and Indonesia.
In Brunei, it is illegal for Muslims to engage activities like:
- Drinking alcohol
- Spending time alone with a member of the opposite sex to whom you are not related or married
- Eating, drinking, or smoking in public during the month of Ramadan
- Watching pornography
- Saying anything bad about the Sultan
- Celebrating Christmas
- Having a baby out of wedlock
- Failing to pray on a Friday
Many of the above laws also apply to non-Muslim residents and tourists. As noted in The New York Times, the new policies on gay sex, theft, and adultery apply to all residents and visitors.