Brunei calls for respect and understanding for the stoning of homosexuals

In the Sultanate of Brunei stricter criminal laws apply since the beginning of April, among other things, the death penalty was introduced to homosexual acts. In contrast, there has been fierce criticism. The Sultanate of defending itself now: Stonings were rare. They want to preserve his traditional values and his "family line". the

Since the beginning of the month may be imposed against homosexuals in Brunei, the death penalty, at 3. April, the harsher criminal laws occurred in the Sultanate. International had been the subject of fierce criticism, including from the United Nations. Now the Sultanate of Brunei defended the expansion of the death penalty in a letter to the European Parliament.

The Guardian - quoted from a four-page letter from the Sultanate to members of the European Parliament. It stated, among other things, in view of the desire of the country to preserve its traditional values and its "family line", call it "tolerance, respect and understanding". Further payments, therefore, stands in the Letter, Stony as a punishment for same-sex Sex were rare - after all, two men of "high moral rank, and piety" as a witness.

The European Parliament had called, according to the report, last week, the freezing of assets, to consider Visa bans and a black list of Hotels. Among other things, the actor George Clooney had asked, and boycotting Hotels owned by the Sultan.

In the Guardian - quoted letter, it was said that the international criticism was due to a misunderstanding. "The criminalization of adultery and fornication is to ensure the inviolability of the family line, and the marriage of different Muslims, especially women."

the basis for the laws is the Sharia, which regulates in a broad sense, the religious and legal norms in Islam. Were also increases the penalties for theft: in the Future, thieves have to expect them to be amputated hands and legs.

In the Sultanate on the island of Borneo, are two-thirds of the more than 420 000 inhabitants of the Muslim faith. For some time, conservative Islamic forces are on the rise. Gays and lesbians are oppressed in the former British colony for a Long time. So far sexual relationships were homosexual up to ten years in prison.