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Commonwealth urged to suspend Brunei as Planned Sharia law executions violate Commonwealth Charter

By Melanie Nathan, May 06, 2014.

While activists in the United Kingdom are calling on the Commonwealth to suspend Brunei’s membership because it has introduced stoning to death for consensual, non-violent behavior, including homosexuality, U.S. activists are calling for boycotts of the Sultan’s hotel properties, with special protests at The Beverley Hills Hotel and Hotel Bon Air.

“Brunei should be suspended from the Commonwealth. Its plan for Sharia law executions violates the human rights principles of the Commonwealth Charter. We are also urging a global boycott of the Sultan of Brunei’s Dorchester chain of hotels and his other business interests,” said Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organization, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

The law is expected to have the greatest impact on gays in Brunei.

Tatchell has written to the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, urging Brunei’s suspension. His letter says:

“We are appalled that Brunei is phasing in harsh new Sharia laws, including stoning to death for sodomy, adultery and other extra-marital sex. It is also introducing the death penalty for blasphemy, apostasy and insulting the prophet or holy texts. Such draconian, anti-human rights policies are incompatible with the human rights values of the Commonwealth Charter. Brunei should be suspended from the Commonwealth until such laws are repealed.”

“We are alarmed that the Commonwealth general secretary, Kamalesh Sharma, has not spoken out against these intolerant, bigoted laws. He should be giving a lead by publicly urging Brunei to abide by the Commonwealth Charter.

“It is outrageous that Brunei is turning the clock back by reverting to the barbaric medieval punishment of stoning people to death.

“Most world leaders have been shamefully silent.

“The Peter Tatchell Foundation is coordinating with campaigners in other countries to plan a global boycott of the Dorchester hotel chain and other investments owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. He is the country’s Prime Minister and also one of the world’s last absolute monarchs, with sweeping, dictatorial powers.

“We appeal to celebrities, politicians and business leaders to boycott the Dorchester hotel group worldwide – and to cancel existing bookings. The Sultan should not be rewarded financially. He should be denied the prestigious patronage of Hollywood actors, sports stars, world leaders and corporate executives.

“We want to empty Dorchester hotels of A-list celebrities until these laws are repealed. We are urging people not to meet, eat or sleep in Dorchester hotels. Big name stars, including Stephen Fry and Ellen DeGeneres, are already backing the boycott call.

“We oppose the death penalty for any offence, not just homosexuality. State executions are a violation of human rights, whether carried out by Iran, China, the US or Brunei,” said Mr Tatchel

Here is a UN briefing on the new Brunei law: http://bit.ly/1lN5RlB

Melanie  SUGGESTS CALLS TO ACTION:

In addition to boycotts consider the following ideas:- – Organizing pickets at the hotels in question, contacting the hotels themselves and to tell their staff why you are boycotting the hotels, writing to the general managers of the hotel nearest to where you live to express your displeasure, canceling existing reservations with a cover communication giving your reason for canceling, contacting magazines that specialize in weddings and events to inform them about this law to express interest in editorials on the subject. Target the Wedding Industry market where events are promote at these elite venues.

Mail your Member of Congress or your MP and make them aware of these protests against this horrific law.

Boycott:

• The Beverly Hills Hotel
• Le Meurice
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée
• Hotel Principe di Savoia
• Hotel Bel-Air
• Coworth Park
• 45 Park Lane
• Le Richemond
• Rome’s Hotel Eden.

Here is the e-mail I sent to the addresses below:

To Brunei Government, UN Mission Brunei,
Acting Brunei High Commissioner in London, Mrs Rooslina Kamaluddin

To All Concerned,

The world is outraged by the harsh stoning laws of Brunei.

We are now calling for worldwide boycotts against Brunei and the interest of the Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, especially to target the wedding, tourist and entertainment industuries.

Brunei cannot expect support or the privilege of participating in the globe, when it institutes draconian laws that spit on fundamental human rights.

We will isolate Brunei until repeal.

If the Sultan cites sovereignty in an attempt to justify this position, then the Sultan is in effect citing isolation.

Please see – https://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2014/05/06/call-to-boycott-barbaric-brute-of-brunei-dorchester-hotels/

Sincerely,
Melanie.

MELANIE NATHAN
[email protected]
PRIVATE COURTS, INC.
Conflict Resolution & Human Rights Advocacy

 

Email your protest to Prime Minister of Brunei
[email protected]

And to the Brunei representative to the UN in Geneva:
[email protected]

You can also email the Acting Brunei High Commissioner in London:
Mrs Rooslina Kamaluddin
[email protected]

Copy to:
[email protected]
[email protected]

 https://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/04/25/gays-and-workers-protest-beverley-hills-hotel/

 

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