04 April,2019 08:22 AM IST | Bandar Seri Begawan | Agencies
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has called for "stronger" Islamic teachings in the country. Pic/AFP
Brunei on Wednesday introduced harsh new sharia laws, including death by stoning for adultery and gay sex, despite a storm of global criticism from politicians, celebrities and rights groups.
The tough penal code in the tiny country on tropical Borneo island - ruled by the all-powerful Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah - fully came into force following years of delays. The laws, which also include amputation of hands and feet for thieves, make Brunei the first place in East or Southeast Asia to have a sharia penal code at the national level.
Rape and robbery are also punishable by death under the code and many of the new laws, such as capital punishment for insulting the Prophet Mohammed, apply to non-Muslims as well as Muslims. Before the new laws, sex between men was already illegal in Brunei and punishable with up to 10 years in jail.
But the new code stipulates death by stoning as a punishment for sex between men, while women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term. It is also unclear whether death by stoning will actually be implemented, as a high burden of proof is needed to hand down the punishment and Brunei has not executed anyone for decades.
ALSO READ
Indian-American body urges Biden, Trump to intervene
There are talks regarding changing Karnataka Cong president, says Minister Parameshwara
Kejriwal continues attack on Centre over law and order in Delhi ahead of assembly polls
Dispute over mosque: Uttarakhand HC asks authorities to maintain peace in Uttarkashi
LS, RS got adjourned due to govt's continuing refusal to allow Oppn to raise Adani 'scam': Cong
The decision to push ahead with the punishments has sparked alarm around the world, with the United Nations labelling them "cruel and inhumane" and celebrities, led by actor George Clooney and pop star Elton John, calling for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted.
EU condemned Brunei's new laws, saying some of the "cruel" punishments amount to torture and breach international human rights agreements. US also condemned the country's decision. "Brunei's decision... runs counter to its international human rights obligations, including with respect to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
