A controversial new penal code goes into effect in Brunei today that could see those convicted of sodomy stoned to death, and lesbians given 100 lashes or up to ten years in jail.
“Brunei Darussalam is a sovereign Islamic and fully independent country, and like all other independent countries, enforces its own rule of laws,” the government said in a statement, according to Gay Times. “Brunei Darussalam has always been practicing a dual legal system, one that is based on the Syariah Law and the other on Common Law. In fully implementing the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013 from 3rd April 2019, both systems will continue to run in parallel to maintain peace and order and preserve religion, life, family and individuals regardless of gender, nationality, race and faith.”
In late March, news broke that Brunei had covertly been putting in place the new penal code that would include heinous acts like amputation as a sentencing for theft. It would also update its existing laws against homosexuality and sodomy, making those acts punishable by death. The move comes as a second wave in a three-part process the country began back in 2014.
Since the initial news surfaced, celebrities like George Clooney, Bobby Berk, Sir Elton John and Ellen Degeneres have all come out against the laws, calling on people to boycott the hotels in the Dorchester Group, which is owned by Brunei. Of those hotels, the Beverly Hills Hotel hosts glitzy Hollywood events like the Golden Globes. Degeneres was one of the most vocal in the initial boycott of the hotels back in 2014.
There have also been calls for a boycott on Brunei Airlines. The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby in Australia called for the airline to be banned from landing in Australia. The group went on to say that the laws would apply to “all those who board a Brunei-registered aircraft even when in Australia.” Virgin Australia also said today that it ended a deal with the airline over the laws.
"It's absolutely crucial that the international community speak out now and demand that the Sultan of Brunei stop these barbaric changes that threaten the lives of Brunei citizens,” Human Rights Campaign Global Director, Ty Cobb, wrote to Out in a statement on the initial news. “The Trump-Pence Administration must also immediately make clear that these outrageous human rights abuses will not be tolerated."
The Advocate has reportedly filed multiple requests for comment on the matter from the Trump administration, but representatives have remained silent on the new laws, despite the President’s repeated campaign promises that he would protect LGBTQ+ people. The United Nations has urged the country not to move forward, as the laws have received universal condemnation from human rights groups, including Amnesty International.
“Pending provisions in Brunei’s Penal Code would allow stoning and amputation as punishments — including for children, to name only their most heinous aspects,” Rachel Chhoa-Howard, Brunei researcher at Amnesty said in a statement last week. “Brunei must immediately halt its plans to implement these vicious punishments, and revise its Penal Code in compliance with its human rights obligations. The international community must urgently condemn Brunei’s move to put these cruel penalties into practice.”
Source: out.com, Mikelle Street, April 3, 2019
Oxford University refuses to strip Sultan of Brunei’s degree over gay death penalty law
Oxford University has ignored calls from its student union to strip the Sultan of Brunei of his honorary degree over the country’s implementation of sharia law, which makes gay sex punishable by death by stoning.
The Southeast Asian country has been widely condemned by human rights groups and celebrities alike for its draconian legislation, which came into force on Wednesday (April 3).
Oxford University awarded Brunei sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled over the country both as head of state and prime minister since 1967, an honorary degree of civil law by diploma in 1993.
“All honorary doctorates should reflect the ethos of the University.”—VP of Welfare and Equal Opportunity at Oxford University, Student Union
But the institute has come under pressure from its official student body to take back the academic honour.
Speaking to PinkNews, Ellie Macdonald, vice-president of welfare and equal opportunity at Oxford University Student Union, said: “All honorary doctorates should reflect the ethos of the University.
“We want to create a safe and inclusive society for all and the people who receive this type of honour should be held to a high standard.
“If they fail to meet that, as in this case, they should be stripped of their honour.”
The top university, however, has refused to strip the sultan of the honorary degree.
“At present, the University will not be rescinding the Sultan of Brunei’s 1993 Honorary Degree of Civil Law by Diploma,” a University of Oxford spokesperson told PinkNews.
“We share the international condemnation of Brunei’s new penal code and back the United Nations’ call to stop the code entering into force.”
“If they fail to meet that, as in this case, they should be stripped of their honour.”—VP of Welfare and Equal Opportunity at Oxford University, Student Union
In 2016, the University of Oxford came under fire after it refused to remove a statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College.
Aberdeen and King’s College London universities to review Brunei sultan’s honorary degrees
Oxford University’s statement comes after the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, which awarded the sultan an honorary degree in 1995, said that it would review the academic honour in light of the country’s new anti-gay legislation.
A University of Aberdeen spokesperson told PinkNews: “The University of Aberdeen is inclusive and open to all.
“In light of this new information this matter will be raised as a matter of urgency with the University’s Honorary Degrees Committee.”
King’s College London has also confirmed that the university will review an honorary degree it gave to the sultan eight years ago.
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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde