Protest Brunei: Effective Strategies For Change

In 2019, Brunei implemented new laws that made gay sex and adultery punishable by stoning to death. In response, there have been calls to boycott the Dorchester Collection, a group of luxury hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei. While some have supported this boycott, others have questioned its effectiveness given the Sultan's vast wealth. As such, other methods of protest have been suggested, such as writing to MPs and demanding a response from governments that maintain trade relations with Brunei.

Boycott Sultan-owned hotels and airlines

In 2019, Brunei introduced strict Islamic laws that made gay sex and adultery punishable by flogging or stoning to death. In response, celebrities such as George Clooney and Ellen DeGeneres called for a boycott of all hotels and airlines owned by the Sultan of Brunei. This included the Dorchester Collection, a luxury chain of nine hotels owned by the Brunei Investment Agency, an arm of the government. The hotels include:

• The Dorchester in London
• The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles
• Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles
• 45 Park Lane in London
• Coworth Park in Ascot, UK
• Le Meurice in Paris
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris
• Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan
• Hotel Eden in Rome

The Dorchester Collection responded to the backlash on its website, stating that it "does not tolerate any form of discrimination". However, the boycott led to the hotels shutting down their social media accounts, with all nine making their Facebook pages inaccessible.

In addition to the hotel boycott, airlines such as Virgin Australia and STA Travel joined the protest, ending deals with Royal Brunei Airlines. STA Travel stated that it would no longer sell flights on Royal Brunei Airlines "in protest at recent changes to the law in Brunei".

While boycotting sultan-owned hotels and airlines may not significantly impact the Sultan's net worth, it can help raise awareness of human rights abuses in Brunei and put pressure on the country's government and its international partners.

Write to MPs to demand a response from the UK government

In light of the anti-LGBTQ+ laws implemented in Brunei, you may be wondering how you can help protest these laws beyond boycotting hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei. While boycotting these hotels can help raise the profile of human rights abuses in Brunei, it may be more effective to demand a response from the UK government regarding their continued trade, defence, and education relations with Brunei. Here are some suggestions on how to do this:

• Write to your local MP: You can find out who your local MP is and how to contact them by searching for your postcode on the UK Parliament website. In your letter, you can express your concerns about the UK's continued relations with Brunei despite their human rights abuses. You can also ask your MP to raise this issue in Parliament and put it forward for debate.
• Encourage others to write to their MPs as well: The more people who write to their MPs, the stronger the message will be. You can spread the word by talking to your friends, family, and social media followers about this issue and encouraging them to write to their MPs as well.
• Join or support organisations that are already advocating for this: There may be existing organisations or campaigns that are already advocating for the UK government to take action on this issue. You can join or support these organisations to add your voice to their efforts.
• Stay informed and follow the news on this issue: It is important to stay informed about any developments in this area. Follow reliable news sources and organisations that are reporting on this issue to stay up-to-date.
• Contact the media: You can write to newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets to raise awareness about this issue and encourage them to cover it.
• Engage with your local community: You can also get involved with any local community groups or organisations that are working to raise awareness about this issue. This can help to spread awareness and educate others about the situation in Brunei and the UK's response.

By taking these actions, you can demand a response from the UK government and encourage them to re-evaluate their relationship with Brunei in light of their human rights abuses. It is important to remember that boycotting businesses owned by the Sultan of Brunei is also a valid form of protest, and you can do this in addition to writing to your MP.

Raise awareness on social media

Social media is a powerful tool to raise awareness about Brunei's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and to mobilise people to take action. Here are some ways you can use social media to protest:

Educate yourself and others: Learn about the specific laws and their implications for the LGBTQ+ community in Brunei. Share informative content, articles, and personal stories from reliable sources to help others understand the issue.

Use hashtags effectively: Create and use relevant hashtags such as #StopTheBruneiLaws or #BruneiLGBTQ+ to make it easier for people to find and follow the conversation. This will also help to amplify the reach of your posts and connect with others who share your concerns.

Engage with influencers and celebrities: Reach out to influencers, celebrities, and public figures who have a large social media following and encourage them to use their platforms to raise awareness about the issue. Many celebrities, including George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, and Elton John, have already spoken out against Brunei's laws. Joining and amplifying their efforts can help to spread the message even further.

Share personal stories: If you feel comfortable doing so, share your own experiences or those of people you know who have been affected by Brunei's laws. Personal stories can be a powerful way to humanise the issue and help others understand the real-life impact of these laws.

Participate in online campaigns: Join online campaigns and use your social media platforms to spread the word. For example, you can participate in a social media blackout, where users refrain from posting for a specific period to bring attention to an issue. Alternatively, you could create and share graphics, memes, or videos that highlight the issue and encourage others to take action.

Collaborate with activists and organisations: Connect with LGBTQ+ activists, human rights organisations, and other groups working to protest Brunei's laws. Share their content, engage with their campaigns, and help amplify their messages to reach a wider audience.

Support LGBTQ+ organisations

Supporting LGBTQ+ organisations is a powerful way to protest Brunei's laws and attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. While there may be a lack of advocacy groups within the country, there are some organisations and initiatives that support the LGBTQ+ community in Brunei. Here are some ways you can support them:

• The Brunei Project: This organisation seeks to promote human rights, including LGBTQ+ rights, in Brunei through social media. They have a Facebook page where they share stories from LGBTQ+ individuals in Brunei and provide a platform for personal narratives. You can follow their work, share their content, and support their initiatives.
• Songket Alliance: An indie webzine that publishes stories of minorities in Brunei, including the LGBTQ+ community. You can read and share their content to amplify the voices of the LGBTQ+ community in Brunei.
• Oogachaga: A Singapore-based LGBTQ+-friendly counselling service that provides support to individuals in Brunei who are coming to terms with their sexuality or confused about their identity. You can help spread awareness about this service and, if possible, provide resources or support their work.
• ASEAN SOGIE Caucus: An Asian LGBTQ+ rights coalition that has called for a halt to Brunei's anti-LGBTQ+ laws. You can support their work, join their campaigns, and amplify their message.
• International LGBTQ+ organisations: Given the challenges of organising within Brunei, some individuals and organisations choose to work with international LGBTQ+ rights groups. You can support these groups, which may have more resources and reach to effect change in Brunei. Examples include OutRight Action International, which has been critical of Brunei's LGBTQ+ rights record.

Additionally, you can support independent media outlets and platforms, such as New Naratif, that share stories and raise awareness about the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community in Brunei. By supporting these initiatives, you can help to humanise the LGBTQ+ community in Brunei, encourage empathy, and work towards creating a more inclusive society.

Pressure Brunei through diplomatic channels

Diplomacy is a powerful tool to pressure Brunei to change its anti-LGBTQ laws. Here are some ways to do this:

Suspend Diplomatic Relations:

Countries can send a strong message of disapproval by suspending diplomatic ties with Brunei. This could include recalling ambassadors, reducing embassy staff, or even completely closing embassies in Brunei. This action would demonstrate that the international community will not tolerate such regressive and inhumane laws.

Implement Economic Sanctions:

Economic sanctions can be imposed by individual countries or groups of countries, such as the European Union or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These sanctions could include import and export restrictions, freezing assets of Brunei's leadership, or placing travel bans on specific individuals. By targeting the country's economy, these measures can exert significant pressure on Brunei's government.

Withhold Foreign Aid:

Many developed countries provide foreign aid to less developed nations to support various sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. In this case, donor countries can choose to withhold or redirect this aid to send a clear message of disapproval. This action would demonstrate that the country's leadership cannot continue such human rights abuses without consequences.

Diplomatic Boycotts:

Countries can choose to boycott specific events or meetings hosted by Brunei, especially those related to trade or international cooperation. This tactic sends a message that the country's leadership is not being completely isolated, but their actions have consequences.

Political Pressure through International Organisations:

International organisations like the United Nations (UN) or regional bodies like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) provide a platform for countries to exert diplomatic pressure. Countries can introduce resolutions or make official statements condemning Brunei's actions and calling for change. These organisations often have mechanisms to hold member states accountable for upholding human rights, and this route can be leveraged to pressure Brunei.

Diplomatic Lobbying:

Individual countries with diplomatic ties to Brunei can use their embassies and ambassadors to lobby and influence Brunei's government directly. They can convey their strong disapproval and encourage Brunei's leaders to reconsider their stance, highlighting the potential negative consequences for the country's international reputation and relations.

It is important to note that these diplomatic measures are most effective when implemented by a large number of countries, especially those with significant political and economic ties to Brunei. A united front from the international community sends a powerful message that human rights are universal and must be respected.

Frequently asked questions