The decision by the Sultan of Brunei to order homosexuals to be stoned to death has caused widespread anger and concern in the West. George Clooney, the actor, has spearheaded calls for a boycott of the Dorchester hotel group, owned by the Sultan. The Commonwealth has condemned what it called “cruel and inhuman punishments” that contravened international human rights laws. Lobby groups are preparing mass protests.
Brunei is only the latest of a number of countries to order draconian new punishments for homosexuality. Gay people are increasingly being threatened with beatings, lengthy imprisonment and even summary lynchings by governments keen to show their strict adherence to Sharia or by African leaders pandering to popular prejudice. Homosexuality has become a popular target for fundamentalist preachers who equate it with decadent western influence. [The Times (£)] Read more
