Commonwealth urged to suspend Brunei

London – 6 May 2014

 

The Commonwealth is being urged to suspend Brunei’s membership over its decision to introduce stoning to death for consensual, non-violent behaviour, including homosexuality and adultery.

“Brunei should be suspended from the Commonwealth. Its plan for Sharia law executions violates the human rights principles of the Commonwealth Charter. We are also urging a global boycott of the Sultan of Brunei’s Dorchester chain of hotels and his other business interests,” said Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

Mr Tatchell has written to the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, urging Brunei’s suspension. His letter says:

“We are appalled that Brunei is phasing in harsh new Sharia laws, including stoning to death for sodomy, adultery and other extra-marital sex. It is also introducing the death penalty for blasphemy, apostasy and insulting the prophet or holy texts. Such draconian, anti-human rights policies are incompatible with the human rights values of the Commonwealth Charter. Brunei should be suspended from the Commonwealth until such laws are repealed.”

Mr Tatchell added:

“We are alarmed that the Commonwealth general secretary, Kamalesh Sharma, has not spoken out against these intolerant, bigoted laws. He should be giving a lead by publicly urging Brunei to abide by the Commonwealth Charter.

“It is outrageous that Brunei is turning the clock back by reverting to the barbaric medieval punishment of stoning people to death.

“Most world leaders have been shamefully silent.

“The Peter Tatchell Foundation is coordinating with campaigners in other countries to plan a global boycott of the Dorchester hotel chain and other investments owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. He is the country’s Prime Minister and also one of the world’s last absolute monarchs, with sweeping, dictatorial powers.

“We appeal to celebrities, politicians and business leaders to boycott the Dorchester hotel group worldwide – and to cancel existing bookings. The Sultan should not be rewarded financially. He should be denied the prestigious patronage of Hollywood actors, sports stars, world leaders and corporate executives.

“We want to empty Dorchester hotels of A-list celebrities until these laws are repealed. We are urging people not to meet, eat or sleep in Dorchester hotels. Big name stars, including Stephen Fry and Ellen DeGeneres, are already backing the boycott call.

“We oppose the death penalty for any offence, not just homosexuality. State executions are a violation of human rights, whether carried out by Iran, China, the US or Brunei,” said Mr Tatchell.

Here is a UN briefing on the new Brunei law: http://bit.ly/1lN5RlB

What you can do

Ask your MP to protest to the Brunei High Commissioner. You can email your MP direct via this website: http://www.writetothem.com

Email your protest to Prime Minister of Brunei
[email protected]

And to the Brunei representative to the UN in Geneva:
[email protected]

You can also email the Acting Brunei High Commissioner in London:
Mrs Rooslina Kamaluddin
[email protected]
Copy to:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Thank you.