HLG Supports the IAFL’s Condemnation of Brunei’s Oppressive New Sex Laws

I was accepted as a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (iafl.com) in 2010.  The IAFL is a worldwide association of over 810 practicing lawyers from 57 countries who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries.  It is a dynamic association.  I remain honored to be a part of the IAFL.

On April 8, 2019 the IAFL, in conjunction with its Asia-Pacific Chapter, condemned the introduction of the Brunei revised penal code, which stipulates the death penalty for offences including adultery and extra marital sexual relations and homosexual acts. The IAFL reaffirms its support of efforts toward ensuring human dignity within all relationships, full equality of the LGBTI community and in issues concerning marriage, families, parenting and ending domestic violence throughout the world. “There is no place in any penal code to criminalize sexual acts between consenting adults and the cruel and inhuman and degrading punishments contained in the Brunei legislation have no place in any modern legal system. This legislation is an affront to international human rights and the IAFL strongly condemns its introduction.”

The IAFL joins other international voices to urge the Brunei government to revisit this legislation and to remove these penalties from its statute books.  Herring Law Group actively supports the effort.