Fighting Brunei's Stoning Law: Strategies For Resistance

Brunei's new stoning law, which punishes adultery and gay sex by death from stoning, has sparked international outrage and calls for action. The law, which came into effect on April 3, 2019, is part of the country's implementation of Sharia law and has been widely condemned as a violation of human rights. In response, there have been calls for boycotts of businesses owned by the Sultan of Brunei, such as luxury hotels, and for the imposition of sanctions on the country and its officials. However, some argue that more targeted actions, such as imposing sanctions specifically on the Sultan, may be more effective in pressuring Brunei to abandon these provisions.

The international community should boycott Brunei-owned businesses

Brunei's new law, which punishes homosexuality and adultery with death by stoning, has sparked international outrage. The country's decision to implement such harsh punishments is a significant step backwards for human rights and has rightfully been condemned by the United Nations as "cruel, inhuman and degrading".

One way for the international community to take a stand against this law is to boycott businesses owned by the country's ruler, the Sultan of Brunei. The Sultan owns the Brunei Investment Agency, which in turn owns nine of the world's most luxurious hotels, including The Dorchester in London and The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. By boycotting these hotels, the international community can make a strong statement that they will not support businesses associated with such regressive and inhumane practices.

It is important to recognise that a boycott alone may not be enough to create the expeditious change needed to save the lives of those at risk in Brunei. However, it is a powerful tool to raise awareness and put pressure on the country's leadership. In addition to boycotting Brunei-owned businesses, individuals can also urge their governments and international organisations to take a stand against Brunei's stoning law through diplomatic and economic measures.

The international community must act now to make it clear that such regressive and inhumane laws have no place in the modern world. By boycotting Brunei-owned businesses, we can send a strong message of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and all those at risk of persecution under this draconian legislation. Only through collective action and a united front can we hope to effect meaningful change and protect the human rights of all individuals in Brunei.

The EU should impose sanctions on Brunei

The EU, as a union that upholds human rights and democracy, has a responsibility to take a strong stance against such violations. By imposing sanctions, the EU can send a clear message that it will not tolerate human rights abuses and that there are consequences for such actions. The sanctions should be targeted at those responsible for imposing and carrying out these punishments, including the Sultan of Brunei, who directed the implementation of the law.

Possible sanctions could include travel bans and financial penalties, such as the seizure of assets. This approach has the potential to impose less harm on the workers of the establishments owned by the Sultan or the Bruneian government, as the businesses could continue to operate if handled responsibly. Additionally, the EU should consider freezing the assets of those implicated and imposing visa bans to restrict their movement.

It is important to note that criticism and condemnation are not enough. The EU must take concrete action to hold Brunei and its ruler accountable for implementing these draconian measures. By imposing sanctions, the EU can demonstrate its commitment to protecting human rights and send a strong message of support to the vulnerable groups targeted by these laws, including children, women, and LGBT+ individuals.

In conclusion, the EU must act decisively and impose sanctions on Brunei in response to its new stoning law. These sanctions should be targeted and proportionate, aiming to hold accountable those responsible while minimizing harm to innocent citizens. By taking a strong stance, the EU can uphold its values and protect the rights of vulnerable groups both within Brunei and globally.

The UK should condemn Brunei's actions and cut ties

The UK should take a firm stance against Brunei's abhorrent actions by implementing a range of measures, including official condemnation and severing of diplomatic ties. Here are several paragraphs outlining this approach:

Official Condemnation

The UK government should issue an official statement strongly condemning Brunei's decision to implement stoning as a form of punishment. This statement should come from high-ranking officials, such as the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary, expressing outrage and emphasizing the UK's commitment to human rights and the protection of vulnerable groups. The statement should also call on Brunei to abolish these laws immediately and respect international norms and treaties on human rights.

Severing Diplomatic Ties

The UK should consider severing diplomatic ties with Brunei as a strong message of disapproval. This can include recalling the UK's ambassador to Brunei and reducing diplomatic staff in the country. Additionally, the UK should suspend or cancel any planned official visits, meetings, or joint initiatives with Brunei as a direct consequence of their human rights violations.

Economic Sanctions

Given the significant financial stakes between the UK and Brunei, the UK government should impose economic sanctions on Brunei. This can include targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for implementing these laws, such as the Sultan and other government officials. Asset freezing, financial sanctions, and travel bans should be considered to send a clear message that human rights abuses will not be tolerated. The UK can also review and potentially revoke any preferential trade agreements or economic partnerships with Brunei, exerting economic pressure on the country.

Support for Human Rights Organizations

The UK should actively support and collaborate with human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, that are working to oppose Brunei's stoning law. This can include providing financial or logistical support for their efforts, amplifying their messages through official channels, and engaging in diplomatic efforts to pressure Brunei to engage with these organizations and heed their recommendations.

Public Awareness and Boycotts

The UK government, in collaboration with human rights organizations and activists, should launch public awareness campaigns to educate its citizens about the situation in Brunei and encourage them to take action. This can include calling for boycotts of Brunei-owned businesses, such as luxury hotels, to hit the country's economy. The UK can also encourage its citizens to participate in protests, petitions, and other forms of activism to demonstrate global outrage and solidarity with the affected communities in Brunei.

By taking these comprehensive steps, the UK can send a strong message of condemnation, hold Brunei accountable for its actions, and contribute to international efforts to pressure Brunei into abolishing these inhumane laws.

The US and other countries should impose Global Magnitsky laws on Brunei

The Global Magnitsky Act, passed in 2016, allows the US government to sanction foreign government officials worldwide who are human rights offenders. The Act enables the US government to freeze their assets and ban them from entering the country. The Act is named after a Russian whistleblower, Sergei Magnitsky, who was killed in 2009 while in Russian custody, in retaliation for exposing corruption.

By imposing Global Magnitsky sanctions on Brunei, the US and other countries can send a strong message that human rights violations will not be tolerated. Foreign government officials, including the Sultan of Brunei, should be warned that they will face consequences for their actions, such as travel bans and financial sanctions. This approach has the potential to impose less harm on the workers of the establishments owned by the Sultan or the Brunei government, as the businesses could continue to operate responsibly in escrow even after seizure.

The Global Magnitsky Act has been used to sanction individuals in other countries for human rights abuses, including Yahya Jammeh, the former president of The Gambia, and Roberto Jose Rivas Reyes, the president of Nicaragua's Supreme Electoral Council. Additionally, the Act was used to sanction Chinese government officials and a government entity for serious rights abuses against ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

It is important for the US and other countries to take a stand against Brunei's stoning law and impose Global Magnitsky sanctions to demonstrate their commitment to upholding human rights and send a clear message that such violations will not be tolerated.

The Sultan of Brunei should be sanctioned

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, should be sanctioned for implementing a stoning law that violates human rights. The law, which applies to Brunei's Muslim population, punishes adultery, anal sex, and abortion with stoning or whipping to death. Lesbian sex carries the penalty of 40 lashes. These punishments are grave human rights violations, and the international community must respond with more than criticism and condemnation.

The Sultan should be sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky laws, which allow governments to seize assets, freeze bank accounts, and impose travel restrictions on government officials responsible for human rights abuses. Foreign governments should warn the Sultan that they intend to use these laws if Brunei carries out the horrific stoning law. This includes seizing his extensive properties, such as luxury hotels and estates, cutting him off from banking systems, and preventing him from traveling through their territories.

The Sultan's ministers are far less admired, and there is no independent civil society in Brunei due to constrained freedom of speech. However, regular Bruneians do not seem to understand the international outcry over the stoning law, as they believe it will be very difficult to apply Sharia law to any case. Nevertheless, the law itself is a human rights violation and should be met with consequences for those responsible for its implementation, including the Sultan.

Additionally, there are calls for boycotts of businesses owned by the Sultan, such as the Dorchester Collection hotels, which include The Beverly Hills Hotel and The Dorchester. However, it is recognized that a boycott alone may not create the expeditious change needed to save thousands of innocent lives. Therefore, sanctions on the Sultan, as the ultimate decision-maker, are necessary to pressure Brunei to abandon these provisions and demonstrate that the international community will not tolerate such human rights abuses.

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