Brunei should be suspended from Commonwealth over new law punishing gay sex with stoning to death, UK government told

New sharia laws came into effect in Brunei on Wednesday amid an international outcry

The government has faced calls to suspend Brunei from the Commonwealth over the introduction of new sharia laws, which include punishing gay sex with stoning to death.

Labour said it was time to draw “a line in the sand” over LGBT+ rights abuses in Commonwealth countries and called for ministers to intervene over the sultanate’s decision to apply the death penalty to people engaging in same-sex relationships.

Strict new Islamist laws came into effect in Brunei on Wednesday, triggering an international outcry, which include punishments of amputation or death for offences including adultery, sodomy, robbery and rape.

The small oil-rich nation has been a member of the Commonwealth – a group of 58 states, nearly all of which were formerly part of the British empire – since the 1980s.

Pressed on the new legal code during an urgent commons statement, foreign office minister Mark Field said the UK government considers it “appalling” that such laws have been introduced in the 21st Century, adding: “We consider it illegal under international human rights law.”

Shadow minister Khalid Mahmood said: “For [Brunei] to take such a backwards step, a step back into the darkness with these horrific proposals for people to be stoned and whipped to death just because of their sexuality, is truly heartbreaking.

“But it is also a clear breach of Brunei’s obligations under the Commonwealth charter in respect of human rights and there surely must be immediate consequences for Brunei if they press ahead of these proposals in terms of membership of the Commonwealth.”

He said the Commonwealth has fought against democratic abuses but it has turned a “blind eye” towards abuses of LGBT+ people in countries in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.

Mr Mahmood thanked the minister for his words and urged him to “call for an immediate meeting of the Commonwealth ministerial action group and agreeing if Brunei does not drop its proposal, it will, as a matter of urgency, be suspended from the Commonwealth”.

SNP MP Martin Docherty-Hughes also raised concern at enthusiasm for “Commonwealth 2.0” by some MPs, pointing out there are 35 states in the group that criminalise LGBT+ people.

He urged the government to consider appealing to the Commonwealth to suspend Brunei, in line with Zimbabwe, which was kicked out in 2002, before withdrawing the following year.

Mr Field said the Commonwealth charter states that members are opposed to all forms of discrimination and the prime minister made clear to the annual meeting of states last year that no one should face discrimination or persecution.

He said: “The UK stands ready to support any Commonwealth member wanting to reform outdated legislation that makes such discrimination possible.”

Official travel guidance to Brunei has been updated to reflect the changes to the law, Mr Field said.

Homosexuality was already illegal in Brunei, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.