Kuala Lumpur: Sharia law will be functional from April 3 in the small nation of Brunei. The strict law will punish adultery and gay sex with death by stoning, according to authorities. The punishment will be "witnessed by a group of Muslims."
The law on this particularly, has been on hold for four years amidst heavy criticism. They have been rolled out gradually. This latest implementation to it has been kept mostly under wraps and announced over the website of attorney general.
Various reactions have come from different Human Rights groups, mostly with horror to the latest stringent move. Borneo is known to be a resource-rich nation, which practices a stricter brand of Islam than its neighbouring states like Malaysia and Indonesia.
The nation with bio-diverse rainforest will implement this new penal code -- which also prescribes amputation of a hand and foot for theft -- next Wednesday. Homosexuality is already illegal in Brunei but with this law, it will become a capital offence. The law only applies to Muslims.
Reactions:
- Amnesty International Wednesday appealed Brunei to "immediately halt" implementing the new penalties.
- Brunei researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard said, "To legalize such cruel and inhuman penalties is appalling of itself,"
- Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch warned, "If this ill-considered plan goes forward, there is every reason to believe the global boycott Brunei movement will re-start."
A notice on Brunei's Attorney General's Chambers dated December 29 last year said the provisions will be effective from April 3. The first announcement of these measures happened in 2013 in Brunei through implementation has been delayed as officials worked out the practical details and due to opposition by Rights groups.
Also Read: Pakistan outrightly denies any 'terror camps' on their soil
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is expected to make an announcement on April 3 on the implementation of the new Sharia laws, spokesman for the Brunei religious affairs ministry said. "Only after the event we will know regarding the date of the implementation of the new laws," he told an agency.
"In terms of readiness, at the moment we are prepared to enforce the amputation of the hand for stealing only. That is all."