The United Nations human rights leader Michelle Bachelet has denounced Brunei’s “cruel and inhuman” laws set to take impact this week, which impose demise by way of stoning for homosexual intercourse and adultery and amputations for robbery.
“I appeal to the authorities to forestall the entry into the pressure of this draconian new penal code, which would mark a serious setback for human rights protections for the humans of Brunei if implemented,” UN rights leader Michelle Bachelet said in a statement. Brunei, an absolute monarchy dominated for fifty-one years using Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, has said it will implement the new penal code starting Wednesday.
Brunei first introduced the measures in 2013, but implementation has been behind schedule, in the face of opposition with the aid of rights corporations, and as officers labored out the practical information. The new regulation stipulates the death penalty for several offenses, including rape, adultery, sodomy, theft, and insulting or defaming the Prophet Mohammad. It additionally introduces public flogging as punishment for abortion in addition to amputation for robbery and criminalizes exposing Muslim kids to the beliefs and practices of any religion besides Islam.
Bachelet mentioned that a wide variety of UN rights professionals had “expressed their concerns approximately the merciless, inhuman and degrading punishments contained inside the Penal Code order”. Her remarks came after a long line of politicians and celebrities, such as George Clooney and Elton John, condemned the brand new legal guidelines and referred to a boycott of hotels owned by using the sultanate. Homosexuality has long been illegal in Brunei, which practices a stricter logo of Islam than neighbors Malaysia and Indonesia. However, it will now end up a capital offense. The regulation applies only to Muslims.
Last execution in 1957
Bachelet advised Brunei to uphold an extended way of life of not applying the loss of life penalty laws that have remained on its books. U. S. A. Last finished execution in 1957. She burdened that worldwide regulation imposes very stringent regulations on using the demise penalty, which may only be implemented for homicide and intentional killing. Only despite everything due process requirements were met.
“In truth, no judiciary within the international can claim to be mistake-loose, and evidence indicates that the death penalty is disproportionately carried out towards those who are already prone, with a high threat of miscarriages of justice,” Bachelet stated. “I urge Brunei to maintain its de facto moratorium on the use of capital punishment.”
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also warned that the brand new legal guidelines might inspire violence and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, and nonsecular affiliation. ““Any faith-primarily based law have to violate no longer human rights, consisting of the rights of those belonging to the majority faith in addition to of spiritual minorities and non-believers,” she stated.
