The Human Rights Campaign has welcomed a move by Brunei’s leader to call a moratorium on capital punishment including sharia laws involving stoning to death for gay sex and adultery.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah spoke out on the issues for the first time following a furious global backlash against the punishments.
The laws, which also include amputation of hands and feet for thieves in the tiny sultanate on the island of Borneo, triggered fury from celebrities, including actor George Clooney and Elton John, who called for a boycott of luxury hotels with links to Brunei over the legislation, including the Dorchester in London and Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.
The sultan said in a televised speech ahead of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan: “I am aware that there are many questions and misperceptions with regard to the implementation of the [sharia penal code].”
“There should not be any concern on the sharia law as it is full of Allah’s mercy and blessings,” he said, according to an official translation of his address.
“As evident for more than two decades, we have practiced a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law.
“This will also be applied to cases under the [sharia penal code], which provides a wider scope for remission.”
He also vowed Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago.
Human Rights Campaign global partnerships director Jean Freedberg said:“HRC notes reports that the Sultan of Brunei has declared a moratorium on the death penalty, and while this is an important step we continue to call on him to repeal this draconian law in its entirety and uphold all Brunei’s commitments under international law.
“The world has turned its eyes to Brunei in recent months and we urge the countless advocates, activists and organisations who seized this moment to speak out against these human rights abuses to continue to do so.”
Commonwealth secretary-general Baroness Scotland, said that she was “delighted” by Sultan Hassanal’s announcement, but called on him to ban all other draconian punishments.
“I have been in contact with the government of Brunei both before and after April 3, strongly urging it to reconsider the implementation of these harsh punishments,” she said.
“I am delighted the death penalty has been removed and that the de facto moratorium which has been in place for more than two decades, will also cover the SPCO [Syariah Penal Code Order].
“I encourage Brunei to also revoke the other harsh punishments under the SPCO.”
More: Travel firms review policies amid backlash against Brunei LGBT death penalty
