Earlier this week Brunei’s Sultan brought in laws that makes sex between men and adultery punishable by stoning. Sex between women is punishable by caning and imprisonment.
Homosexuality was already illegal in the Kingdom, but with imprisonment and not with the death penalty.
Today (Saturday 6th April) there was a protest outside of the Dorchester hotel.
The Dorchester hotel is one of the luxury brands that the Sultan of Brunei owns.
In addition to this, the Sultan (Hassanal Bolkiah) holds an honorary law degree from the University of Oxford, another honorary degree from King’s College London and an official honorary title of ‘Companion’ with the Royal College of General Practitioners– none of which had been revoked at the time of writing.
A boycott of the Sultan’s businesses may not have a significant impact on his wealth. However, it is clear from such links with auspicious Western institutions that prestige mean something to him.
