FILE PHOTO: Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah attends the retreat session during the APEC Summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Nov 18, 2018. The United Nations has called the laws implemented April 3 “draconian” while the US and several other countries have urged Brunei to halt its plans. Sultan Hassanal said Brunei will also ratify the UN Convention Against Torture to show its commitment to human rights. “Both the common law and the Shariah law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country. In an immediate reaction, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland on Monday hailed the moratorium on the death penalty but also urged Brunei to revoke other harsh punishments such as amputation and flogging.

Source: Bangkok Post May 06, 2019 03:22 UTC