Statement on positive steps being taken in Brunei

Friday 10 May 2019 @ 14:10
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

FCO spokesperson statement on His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei's de facto moratorium on the death penalty and commitment to ratify UN Convention Against Torture.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said:

We welcome the announcement made by His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei on Sunday 5 May, in particular, confirmation that the de facto moratorium on the death penalty will apply to the Sharia Penal Code, and also His Majesty’s commitment to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Following the implementation of the final phases of the Sharia Penal Code in Brunei on 3 April, the UK and others raised deep concerns about the potential impact on human rights and freedoms in Brunei, including for the LGBT community. It is clear that our message has been heard. The announcement by His Majesty demonstrates the importance of engaging in respectful dialogue and diplomacy to address sensitive issues.

The assurances provided by His Majesty the Sultan are positive and go some way to addressing our anxieties about the human rights situation in Brunei. We urge Brunei to build on these assurances and formalise its commitment to respect individual freedoms and minorities.

Further information

Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook
Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

Channel website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office

Original article link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-positive-steps-being-taken-in-brunei

Share this article

Latest News from
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Joint statement on Multilateral Development Bank Callable Capital

16/04/2024 15:20:00

The UK participated in a joint shareholder statement on Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Callable Capital in response to the G20's Review of MDB Capital Adequacy Frameworks.

UK statement to 2024 OSCE Alliance trafficking conference session on targeting vulnerabilities

16/04/2024 10:25:00

Justin Bedford, UK Modern Slavery Envoy, shares info on UK’s modern slavery programme, Work in Freedom, at OSCE Alliance conference.

UK and U.S. to clamp down harder on the trade of Russian metals

15/04/2024 11:14:00

The recent (12 April 2024) action brings the world’s two largest metal exchanges into the scope of existing bans.

UK appoints first blind ambassador to serve overseas

15/04/2024 09:10:00

Victoria Harrison will become UK ambassador to Slovenia in August 2024, accompanied by her guide dog Otto.

UK reaffirms commitment to Arctic security and prosperity

11/04/2024 15:15:00

The UK’s commitment to international collaboration in the Arctic will be the focus for Americas Minister David Rutley on his first visit to Alaska

UK to boost aid support for Gaza by sea

08/04/2024 12:10:00

UK government announces new package of military and civilian support to set up a maritime aid corridor to Gaza.

UK announces life-saving support for women and girls in Tanzania

04/04/2024 15:05:00

The Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell has announced new UK support to Tanzania to help save lives and unlock investment.

UK backing leading physicist Professor Mark Thomson to lead CERN

03/04/2024 15:12:00

The UK government is announcing its support for the renowned particle physicist Professor Mark Thomson, to be the next Director-General of CERN.

UK holds China state-affiliated organisations and individuals responsible for malicious cyber activity

02/04/2024 15:10:00

UK calls out pattern of malicious cyber activity by Chinese state-affiliated organisations and individuals targeting democratic institutions and parliamentarians.

WIREDGOV