Brunei - Sharia Law Update

5 Apr 2019

From 3 April 2019 Brunei laws include the death penalty for adultery and homosexual sex.

Under Sharia Law (Islamic legal system), anyone found guilty of these offences will be stoned to death. Please see below for an overview of the laws and some general travel advice.

Overview:

From 3 April 2019 the full Sharia penal code (law) takes effect in Brunei. It applies to Muslims, non-Muslims and foreigners.

These laws also apply when travelling on Brunei registered aircraft and vessels, such as Royal Brunei Airlines (BR). BR currently operates flights from Brisbane and Melbourne, and also has connections through most capital cities.

Under this code some offences can attract physical punishment while others attract executions. Offences that attract the death penalty include blasphemy, sodomy, adultery, rape and murder.

A full list of the laws and punishments, along with DFAT’s travel advice for Brunei can be found on the Smart Traveller website.

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