Press briefing notes on Brunei penal code, Death penalty abolition and USA - execution of Mexican national --- DisplayNews

DisplayNews:

Press briefing notes on Brunei penal code, Death penalty abolition and USA - execution of Mexican national

 Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert Colville
Location: Geneva
Date: 11 April 2014

1) Brunei penal code


We are deeply concerned about the revised penal code in Brunei
Darussalam, due to come into force later this month, which stipulates
the death penalty for numerous offences. These include rape, adultery,
sodomy, extramarital sexual relations for Muslims, insult or defamation
of the Prophet Mohammad, insulting any verses of the Quran and Hadith,
blasphemy, declaring oneself a prophet or non-Muslim, and for robbery
and murder. Application of the death penalty for such a broad range of
offences contravenes international law.


The revised code, which is expected to enter into force on April 22,
also introduces stoning to death as the specific method of execution for
rape, adultery, sodomy and extramarital sexual relations.


Under international law, stoning people to death constitutes torture
or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and is thus
clearly prohibited. A number of UN studies have also revealed that
women are more likely to be sentenced to death by stoning, due to deeply
entrenched discrimination and stereotyping against them, including
among law enforcement and judicial officers.


The criminalization and application of the death penalty for
consensual relations between adults in private also violates a whole
host of rights, including the rights to privacy, to equality before the
law, the right to health and freedom from arbitrary arrest and
detention. The provisions of the revised penal code may encourage
further violence and discrimination against women and also against
people on the basis of sexual orientation.


The revised penal code also contains provisions that violate the
rights to freedom of religion, freedom of opinion and of expression.
Articles 213, 214 and 215 of the revised penal code criminalize
printing, disseminating, importing, broadcasting, and distributing
publications “contrary to Hukum Syara”, which literally translates as “contrary to the order of Shariah” by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.


We urge the Government to delay the entry into force of the revised
Penal Code and to conduct a comprehensive review ensuring its compliance
with international human rights standards.





Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert Colville
Location: Geneva
Date: 11 April 2014

1) Brunei penal code


We are deeply concerned about the revised penal code in Brunei
Darussalam, due to come into force later this month, which stipulates
the death penalty for numerous offences. These include rape, adultery,
sodomy, extramarital sexual relations for Muslims, insult or defamation
of the Prophet Mohammad, insulting any verses of the Quran and Hadith,
blasphemy, declaring oneself a prophet or non-Muslim, and for robbery
and murder. Application of the death penalty for such a broad range of
offences contravenes international law.


The revised code, which is expected to enter into force on April 22,
also introduces stoning to death as the specific method of execution for
rape, adultery, sodomy and extramarital sexual relations.


Under international law, stoning people to death constitutes torture
or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and is thus
clearly prohibited. A number of UN studies have also revealed that
women are more likely to be sentenced to death by stoning, due to deeply
entrenched discrimination and stereotyping against them, including
among law enforcement and judicial officers.


The criminalization and application of the death penalty for
consensual relations between adults in private also violates a whole
host of rights, including the rights to privacy, to equality before the
law, the right to health and freedom from arbitrary arrest and
detention. The provisions of the revised penal code may encourage
further violence and discrimination against women and also against
people on the basis of sexual orientation.


The revised penal code also contains provisions that violate the
rights to freedom of religion, freedom of opinion and of expression.
Articles 213, 214 and 215 of the revised penal code criminalize
printing, disseminating, importing, broadcasting, and distributing
publications “contrary to Hukum Syara”, which literally translates as “contrary to the order of Shariah” by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.


We urge the Government to delay the entry into force of the revised
Penal Code and to conduct a comprehensive review ensuring its compliance
with international human rights standards.