Brunei will not enforce the death penalty in an incoming legislation prohibiting gay sex, Channel News Asia reported.
The country had sparked an outcry with its interpretation of Islamic laws on April 3, punishing sodomy, adultery and rape with death, including by stoning.
In response, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said Brunei has for over two decades practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law, which will also be applied to cases under Syariah Penal Code Order.
Some crimes already command the death penalty in Brunei, including premeditated murder and drug trafficking, but no executions have been carried out since 1957.
