Celebrities lead global anger at Bruneiâs brutal new laws
Politicians, human rights groups and celebrities have called on Brunei to abandon plans to introduce severe laws that would see LGBT people whipped or stoned to death.
Amid global criticism over the Islamic laws, which will take effect on Wednesday, the Brunei prime ministerâs office defended the decision to introduce the death penalty for people found guilty of homosexual acts or adultery.
âThe (Sharia) Law, apart from criminalising and deterring acts that are against the teachings of Islam, also aims to educate, respect and protect the legitimate rights of all individuals, society or nationality of any faiths and race,â it said in a statement.
On Sunday, Elton John backed a call by George Clooney to boycott luxury hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei, a wealthy southeast Asian country.
The laws, as part of the countryâs interpretation of Sharia Law, also introduce amputation of the hands or feet as punishment for robbery, according to an announcement by the countryâs attorney general.
Brunei, a tiny former British colony of just over 420,000 people on the coast of Borneo, boast substantial oil-reserves.
Clooney has demanded a boycott of exclusive hotels owned by the Sultan Of Brunei, three of which are in the UK including Londonâs The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane.
John, who married husband David Furnish in 2014, has joined Clooney in calling for a boycott, saying he has âlong refusedâ to stay at the hotels.
âI commend my friend, #GeorgeClooney, for taking a stand against the anti-gay discrimination and bigotry taking place in the nation of #Brunei â a place where gay people are brutalised, or worse â by boycotting the Sultanâs hotels.
âOur hearts go out to the good, hardworking employees of properties owned by the Sultan of Brunei, many of whom we know to be gay.
âWe must send a message, however we can, that such treatment is unacceptable. Thatâs why David and I have long refused to stay at these hotels and will continue to do so. We hope you will join us in solidarity.â
We must send a message, however we can, that such treatment is unacceptable. Thatâs why David and I have long refused to stay at these hotels and will continue to do so.
We hope you will join us in solidarity.
â Elton John (@eltonofficial) March 30, 2019
The Brunei Investment Agency (BIA), through the Dorchester Collection, owns Londonâs The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane as well as Coworth Park in Berkshire.
Also in its portfolio of hotels, among the worldâs most exclusive, are two of Hollywoodâs best-known establishments, The Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills.
Clooney and Johnâs stand was echoed by fellow celebrities.
https://twitter.com/jamieleecurtis/status/1111410714957086720
The US State Department said Bruneiâs new punishments for same-sex sexual acts and adultery âappear inconsistent with international human rights obligationsâ.
âWe strongly oppose human rights violations and abuses against LGBTI persons, including violence, the criminalisation of LGBTI status or conduct, and serious forms of discrimination,â a representative said in statement said.
South Australian Labor Senator Penny Wong echoed this view, saying Bruneiâs Sharia Penal Code would be in breach of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
âLabor is deeply concerned by the Brunei governmentâs plans to implement new laws that would see adultery and homosexual acts between consenting adults punishable by death,â she tweeted.
Former US Vice President Joe Biden said Bruneiâs decision is âappalling and immoralâ.
âEvery single person on earth is entitled to be treated with dignity and to live without fear. There is no excuse â not culture, not tradition â for this kind of hate and inhumanity.â
Brunei researcher at Amnesty International Rachel Chhoa-Howard said Brunei âmust immediately halt its plans to implement these vicious punishments, and revise its Penal Code in compliance with its human rights obligationsâ.
âThe international community must urgently condemn Bruneiâs move to put these cruel penalties into practice.â
-With AAP
