The UN has condemned the new "cruel and inhuman" laws set to take effect in Brunei this week which impose death by stoning for gay sex and adultery, and amputations for theft, Daily Mail reported qutoing AFP reported.
“I urge the government to stop the entry into force of this new Draconian penal code, which, if implemented, will be a serious blow to protecting the human rights of the people of Brunei,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
Brunei, an absolute monarchy ruled for 51 years by Sultan , has said it will implement the new penal code starting on April 3. Brunei first announced the measures in 2013, but implementation has been delayed, in the face of opposition by rights groups.
The new law stipulates the death penalty for a number of offences, including rape, adultery, sodomy, robbery and insulting or defaming the Prophet Mohammad.
It also introduces public flogging as punishment for abortion as well as amputation for theft, and criminalises exposing Muslim children to the beliefs and practices of any religion besides Islam.
Bachelet pointed out that a wide range of UN rights experts had "expressed their concerns about the cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments contained in the Penal Code order".
Her comments came after a long line of politicians and celebrities, including George Clooney and Elton John, condemned the new laws and called for a boycott of hotels owned by the sultanate.
Homosexuality has long been illegal in Brunei, which practises a stricter brand of Islam than neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia, but it will now become a capital offence.
The country last carried out the death penalty in 1957.
She stressed that international law imposes very strict restrictions on the use of the death penalty, which can be applied only for crimes involving murder and premeditated murder, and only after all the proper procedural requirements are met.
"In reality, no judiciary in the world can claim to be mistake-free, and evidence shows that the death penalty is disproportionately applied against people who are already vulnerable, with a high risk of miscarriages of justice," Bachelet said. "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 new laws may encourage violence and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation and religious affiliation.
