July 17, 2019

Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Brunei for Barbaric Laws

The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Todd Young (R-IN), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) that condemns the government of Brunei for recently imposing laws that include, among other troubling things, death by stoning for adultery and homosexual relations.  Their resolution also calls for the repeal of these barbaric laws and visa bans for anyone involved in their implementation. 

 “I am deeply disturbed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s implementation of these backwards laws, which clearly violate international human rights standards.  We must not remain silent in the face of this injustice, and I applaud the Senate for taking quick action on our resolution. I urge our colleagues in the House to consider it without delay and help send a strong rebuke to these actions,” said Van Hollen. 

“These recently imposed laws by unelected Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah are both barbaric and draconian,” Durbin said.  “Passage of this resolution sends a strong, bipartisan message that these actions will not stand in the U.S. Senate and do not reflect our values as Americans.”

“The laws imposed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah are truly horrific and violate the most basic human rights.  I am proud to stand with my colleagues in condemnation of these barbaric new laws,” said Young.

“The United States must be ready and willing to call out laws that violate basic human rights wherever in the world it may be,” said Menendez.  “The Senate must not be silent when barbarism and cruelty rears its ugly head.” 

“The Government of Brunei must understand that its recently enacted laws violate the universal human rights of the people of Brunei.  These universal rights should be afforded to every individual in every nation. If Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah truly wants to improve the quality of life for all his citizens, he must reject these laws,” said Cardin. “America’s strength is in our values and we will not stand idle as such antiquated laws are promulgated in modern times.”

Full text of the resolution is available here.

###