I am shocked by the imminent tightening of Sharia laws in Brunei. The death penalty is a cruel and degrading form of punishment. The same holds true for other corporal punishments for which Brunei is also creating a legal basis by taking this step. These punishments are incompatible with human dignity and cannot be justified on religious grounds.

What is particularly disturbing is the heightening of criminal liability for sexual acts between same sex partners who in future could face stoning. I condemn in the strongest possible terms criminal persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity and the resulting brutal punishments.

I call upon the Government of Brunei not to implement the planned tightening of the Sharia penal code and, should the code come into force nonetheless, not in any circumstances to carry out the death penalty and other corporal punishments. We consider the criminal law provisions to be a clear violation of the country’s human rights obligations.