The stoning to death of LGBTI people in Brunei

Source: S.H. (Sophie) in 't Veld i, published on Thursday, March 28 2019.

Today Sophie in 't Veld addressed questions to the Vice-President of the European Commission, High Representative Federica Mogherini, regarding what the EU is doing to prevent the implementation of new laws in Brunei that permit the stoning to death of LGBTI people.

You can read the questions below.

Question for written answer

to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Rule 130

Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE), Marietje Schaake (ALDE)

Subject:       The stoning to death of LGBTI people in Brunei

Next week, on April 3rd, Brunei will implement a new law allowing for LGBTI people to be stoned for sex and adultery. This new law is part of a 3-phase plan introduced in 2014 and is meant to be a move away from secular law. Under the new law, children may also be punished for theft by an amputation of one of their limps.

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    The universal abolition of the death penalty is one of the priorities of the EU's external relations. Is the HR/VP aware of the announcement by Brunei authorities yesterday and what measures has she taken or will she take in response and will those measures include talks at the highest level to prevent the implementation of the new law and to insist on a moratorium on the death penalty?
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    In what way are LGBTI right streamlined in EU policies and financial support to civil society in Brunei and will the HR/VP suspend any financial assistance to Brunei if the law is implemented next week?
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    What measures does the HR/VP have at its disposal if Brunei implements the law in order and will such measures include targeted sanctions against high level individuals, including the Sultan of Brunei, under the yet to be set up EU human rights sanctions regime?

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