Brunei to punish gay sex with death by stoning

The tiny South-east Asian country of Brunei is introducing strict new Islamic laws that makes gay sex an offence punishable by stoning to death.

The new measures, set to begin Wednesday, also cover a range of other crimes including punishment for theft by amputation.

The move has sparked international condemnation and outcry.

The Bruneian gay community has expressed shock and fear at the “medieval punishments”.

“You wake up and realise that your neighbours, your family or even that nice old lady that sells prawn fritters by the side of the road doesn’t think you’re human, or is okay with stoning,” one Bruneian gay man, who did not want to be identified, told the BBC.

Homosexuality was already illegal in Brunei and punishable by up to 10 years in jail.

Brunei, on the island of Borneo, is ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and has grown rich on oil and gas exports.

The 72-year-old sultan heads the Brunei Investment Agency, which has some of the world’s top hotels including the Dorchester in London and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles in its portfolio.

– BBC