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’. Whether or not this is a performative gesture to give the impression of inclusivity remains to be seen, but either way, the company is taking a public stance against all travel to the sultanate.
Their knee-jerk reaction is well intended, but misguided. I would ask: are we really going to abandon these innocent citizens and wilfully sabotage their economy, knowing that they have to live there regardless?
Call me cynical, but a significant tourism boycott is unlikely to diminish the Sultan’s personal wealth – if anything, it is far more likely to be citizens’ access to free healthcare and schooling that suffers.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in