Gay couples in Brunei could soon be sentenced to death by stoning
05/01/14
By Emma Margolin
Brunei has begun to implement a new Sharia-based penal code that will soon impose death by stoning as a possible punishment for crimes including rape, adultery, and same-sex activity.
The first phase, enacted Thursday, carries fines and jail time for offenses such as missing Friday prayers, having a baby outside of wedlock, propagating religions other than Islam, and engaging in indecent behavior. But more draconian measures are on the way – including flogging and amputation of limbs for heavier crimes. The final phase, which allows stoning as a possible punishment for sodomy, will begin in 2015.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the prime minister, called the law a “great achievement” for the Southeast Asian country.
“The decision to implement the (penal code) is not for fun but is to obey Allah’s command as written in the Quran,” he said in a speech Wednesday, announcing the launch. The Sultan was also quoted as saying that his government “does not expect other people to accept and agree with it, but that it would suffice if they just respect the nation in the same way that it also respects them.”
Bolkiah first announced the law in October, 2013, eliciting widespread condemnation from the international community. In a press briefing last month, Rupert Colville, a spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the organization was “deeply concerned” about Brunei’s revised penal code.
“Under international law, stoning people to death constitutes torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and is thus clearly prohibited,” he said. “The provisions of the revised penal code may encourage further violence and discrimination against women and also against people on the basis of sexual orientation.”
Located on the Island of Borneo, Brunei is the first East Asian country to adopt sharia law. Muslim Malays make up 70% of the country’s population, according to AFP, while about 15% are non-Muslim ethnic Chinese. Once the new penal code is fully implemented, Brunei will join seven other countries that have the death penalty for sex between gay people.
Read more at: http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/brunei-sharia-penal-co … m_facebook
Not sure what will come of it--but the rich truly are different, so maybe their collective outrage and boycott might lead to boycotts worldwide of other businesses owned by the Brunei Investment Agency and divestment of Brunei holdings. Right now, it's not much, but it's a start.
that is an interesting question.
Why do people who live in a country where death penalty is legal not just emigrate to a country where it is not?
- because they want to stay in their country
- because they do not believe it could affect them
- because they hay no means to leave
- because they won't be accepted as equal citicens in the new country either.
Despite all of this millions of people emigrate right now. They need help.