The Southeast Asian monarchy of Brunei has put in place a new law that criminalizes gay sex and adultery. The law comes despite worldwide condemnation.
Offenders will be punished by stoning to death.
The law, which Human Rights Watch labeled as “barbaric to the core,” will see offenders face harsh penalties such as amputation of limbs for stealing.
Governments and rights groups around the world have denounced the law and urged Brunei’s sultan to rescind it.
The gay community has expressed shock and fear at the law.
“You wake up and realise that your neighbours, your family or even that nice old lady that sells prawn fritters by the side of the road doesn’t think you’re human, or is okay with stoning,” one Bruneian gay spoke to BBC.
The sultan on Wednesday called for “stronger” Islamic teachings.
“I want to see Islamic teachings in this country grow stronger,” Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said.