Speaking on behalf of the organization, Leon Langdon, Advocacy Officer for Humanists International, expressed disappointment at Brunei’s failure to accept recommendations on decriminalizing abortion, highlighting that abortion is a human right protected under international law, not a crime.
He also condemned the government’s refusal to accept recommendations regarding its blasphemy laws, pointing out that they are incompatible with international law. Langdon noted that just six months ago, the UN Secretary-General called for the repeal of blasphemy laws worldwide.
Langdon also pointed to Brunei’s rejection of recommendations related to the decriminalization of same-sex relations, underscoring the deeply concerning consequences of its laws, which impose stoning to death as a punishment for same-sex relations. He criticized Brunei for failing to provide a substantive explanation for its rejection of these recommendations.
He said, “Brunei’s “noting” of numerous recommendations related to the decriminalisation of same-sex relations is appalling […] The moratorium on the use of the death penalty is not enough. Such punishment remaining on the books – be it for blasphemy, same-sex relations, or extramarital relations – violates international norms.”.
In closing, Langdon urged Brunei to align its domestic laws with international human rights standards, stressing that the government cannot invoke national sovereignty as a justification while remaining a member of the international community. Brunei accepted just 159 of the 248 recommendations it received from states as part of the UPR process.
*The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a UN process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States, by each other. It is a unique human rights mechanism in so far as it addresses all countries and all human rights. The Working Group on the UPR, which is composed of the Human Rights Council’s 47 Member States and chaired by the Human Rights Council President, conducts country reviews. Humanists International supports its members in engagement with the process.
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