The gay community in Brunei could face death by stoning under its new laws, those convicted of having gay sex can be stoned to death and thieves could have their limbs cut off if proven guilty.

Many people are against the decision as they believe that innocent people will get killed in the said laws.

Before 2014, Homosexuality was punishable in Brunei, if caught, one can serve 10 years in jail. The first stage of the Shariah Penal Code included jail or fines for offenses like pregnancy before marriage and failing to pray on Fridays.

Brunei is the first country in the southeast and east Asia to implement the Shariah Penal Code throughout their country.

Deputy Director Phil Robertson of the Asian Human Rights Watch said, “This kind of law doesn’t belong in the 21st century. It’s going to be something that will turn Brunei into a human rights pariah.”

When the new laws were revealed, Rachel Chhoa-Howard a researcher at the Amnesty International said, “As well as imposing cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments, it blatantly restricts the rights to freedom of expression, religion, and belief, and codifies discrimination against women and girls.”

Earlier this week, Elton John the legendary pop icon backed up the plan of George Clooney, which is to boycott all the hotels that are owned by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the leader of Brunei.

Elton tweeted, “I believe that love is love and being able to love as we choose is a basic human right. Wherever we go, my husband David and I deserve to be treated with dignity and respect – as do each and every one of the millions of LGBTQ+ people around the world.

He added, “I commend my friend, #GeorgeClooney, for taking a stand against the anti-gay discrimination and bigotry taking place in the nation of #Brunei – a place where gay people are brutalized, or worse – by boycotting the Sultan’s hotels.”

Despite all the criticism that was received by the decision, Sultan Bolkiah promised to promote the teachings of their religion.

Sultan Bolkiah explained the changes in their laws, he said, “Brunei Darussalam is a sovereign Islamic and fully independent country and, like all other independent countries, enforces its own rule of laws. Brunei Darussalam has always been practising a dual legal system, one that is based on the Syariah Law and the other on Common Law. The Syariah Law, apart from criminalizing and deterring acts that are against the teachings of Islam, it also aims to educate, respect and protect the legitimate rights of all individuals, society or nationality of any faiths and race.”