Brunei To Become First Asian Country To Stone LGBTQ People To Death For Same-Sex Activity

The tiny sultanate is set to introduce new laws by the first week of April that could see LGBT people whipped or stoned to death for same-sex relations.

In Brunei, homosexuality is already illegal and punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment. However, the new changes would see Brunei become the first Asian country to make homosexuality punishable by death, a Reuters report said.

The changes, under Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, would also apply to Muslims found guilty of adultery, sodomy and rape, according to human rights groups.

"We are trying to get pressure placed on the government of Brunei but realise there is a very short time frame until the laws take affect," he told Reuters.

Woolfe has called on governments to step up diplomatic pressure on Brunei.

"It took us by surprise that the government has now given a date and is rushing through implementation," the Australia-based campaigner added.

According to Woolfe, there had been no major public announcements on the implementation of the penal code changes aside from a statement on Brunei's Attorney-General's website late December which only came to light this week.

Reuters reported that Manila-based human rights groups ASEAN SOGIE Caucus and OutRight Action International, have both confirmed the implementation of the remaining changes in Brunei's sharia laws were due to take place on 3 April.