Politics & Government

City Council Votes 5-0 to Condemn Brunei for Adopting Sharia Law

It reads, in part, "The city of Beverly Hills urges the government of Brunei to divest itself of the Beverly Hills Hotel and any other properties it may own in Beverly Hills."

Originally posted at 9:55 p.m. May 6, 2014. Edited with new details.

While entertainers and human rights activists have called for a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel because of its ties to Brunei's sultan, who recently announced the implementation of Islamic law, the Beverly Hills City Council took a different tact tonight

The council voted unanimously for a resolution that calls for condemnation of the government of Brunei for its new laws. An arm of the Brunei government owns the Dorchester Collection hotel chain, which includes the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Hotel Bel-Air.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced last week he would move ahead with implementing Shariah law, which could allow Brunei authorities to order death by stoning for some behavior, including homosexuality and adultery, and flogging and severing limbs for theft and other offenses.

"I'm hoping in the longer term we can affect change," Bosse said before the vote. "And the only way to affect change is to say we will not stand for this type of behavior and this type of treatment to human beings."

We print here the resolution in full:

RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS CONDEMNING THE GOVERNMENT OF BRUNEI’S LAWS THAT IMPOSE HARSH PENALTIES INCLUDING DEATH BY STONING FOR HOMOSEXUALITY AND OTHER BEHAVIORS.

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The government of Brunei, led by the Sultan of Brunei, has recently implemented an extremely harsh law that, in phases, will impose penalties including death by stoning for homosexuality and adultery. The law would also allow flogging and severing limbs for theft and other offenses.The United Nations has condemned the action and urged Brunei to revisit its penal code. 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Beverly Hills resolves as follows:

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Section 1. The City of Beverly Hills strongly condemns the government of Brunei as well as other governments which engage in similar polices for adopting laws that impose extreme and inhumane penalties including execution by stoning, flogging and severing of limbs.

Section 2. The City of Beverly Hills urges the government of Brunei to divest itself of the Beverly Hills Hotel and any other properties it may own in Beverly Hills.

Section 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause this resolution and his certification to be entered in the Book of Resolution of the Council of this City.

City News Service contributed to this report.


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