Germany Protests to Brunei Envoy Over Anti-Gay Law Plans

A file photo of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. Photo: Bernard Spragg / Flickr
A file photo of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. Photo: Bernard Spragg / Flickr

BERLIN — Germany’s Foreign Ministry has protested Brunei’s plans to implement Islamic criminal laws that punishes gay sex by stoning offenders to death.

In a statement Tuesday, the ministry said German diplomats expressed concern at the introduction of Sharia law penalties and appealed to Brunei’s ambassador Monday to “abide by existing international human rights obligations.”

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The legal change in the tiny, oil-rich monarchy, which also includes amputation for theft, is due to come into force Wednesday.

Human rights group Amnesty International has slammed the punishments as “vicious.”

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American actor George Clooney, who is married to prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, called recently for a boycott of luxury hotels in Europe and the United States linked to Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.