If we boycott Brunei, it’s innocent locals who will be punished
This week the sultanate of Brunei officially introduced sharia law, announcing that homosexuals now risk being sentenced to death by stoning. While it is blindingly obvious to most liberals that consensual homosexual activity in private is not a crime, and that the latest laws are horrifyingly brutal and antiquated, is turning our backs on the country really the answer? Since the news broke, public figures such as Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John and George Clooney have all weighed in, urging the public to stop spending at hotels owned by the Sultan. Meanwhile, TfL has announced it will be removing all adverts for Brunei tourism from the transport network, citing 'public sensitivity'.
