THE Kingdom of Brunei has written to MEPs asking European countries to show ‘tolerance, respect and understanding’ over its decision to impose death by stoning as a punishment for gay sex and adultery.
It claimed such punishments would be rare as it required two to four men ‘of high moral standing and piety’ to be prosecution witnesses, and a total absence of doubt. The Guardian reported that the letter said: ‘The criminalisation of adultery and sodomy is to safeguard the sanctity of family lineage and marriage to individual Muslims, particularly women.’
The new penal code, under which thieves could suffer amputation, was brought in on April 3 despite international condemnation. The letter was sent before a vote last week in which MEPs backed a resolution condemning the code. [Metro.co.uk] Read more
