GAY RIGHTS IN BRUNEI

Early day motion 2274, tabled 8 April 2019 by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 40 members.

That this House notes with alarm that stoning to death as the punishment for homosexual sex came into force on 3 April 2019 in Brunei; further notes that this is part of an enactment of the Sharia penal code formally published in 2013 that also includes stoning for adultery and amputation for theft; is appalled by this barbaric and inhumane violation of human rights; notes that Brunei became a member of the Commonwealth in 1984; further notes the Ministerial visit in August 2018 by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the visit of the Trade Envoy Paul Scully in November 2018; believes that LGBT rights are human rights and the protection of those rights should be a central element of UK foreign and trade policy; calls on the Government to use its position as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to propose the suspension of Brunei from the Councils of the Commonwealth; and further calls on the UK Trade Envoy to raise this in future discussions with Bruneian officials.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 8, Scottish National Party 7, Labour/Co-operative 4, Independent 3, Conservative 2, Green 1, Plaid Cymru 1.