Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
New Shariah Penal Code Coming Into Effect In Brunei
AFP reports that yesterday the Sultan of Brunei announced that a new Shariah Penal Code will come into force in stages beginning next April. Brunei already has a dual set of courts, with Shariah courts handling primarily marital and inheritance issues. The new Penal Code, which only applies to Muslims in the country (70% of the population), will, according to one expert, likely be applied "very, very softly," even though it includes death by stoning as the punishment for adultery.