An international outcry from governments, rights groups, the UN, and numerous celebrities has been sparked, following the decision of Brunei to enact strict new Islamic laws that make being homosexual, adultery, rape, and robbery punishable by death.
On a personal note, I think those condemning Brunei for enacting strict laws to contain acts she considers offensive are hypocrites or better still, playing a double standard. If not, why are they quiet about the legalization of abortion in the United States and why are they not condemning the attempt to legalize marijuana?
According to the World Health Organization’s estimation, 40-50 million babies are killed yearly on the altar of abortion globally, yet none of the rights groups criticizing Brunei has come out to stand up against this “genocide.” There is a war going on in Southern Cameroon and the UN has kept mute as if all is well in the region.
Brunei is a sovereign state that is not answerable to anyone, therefore, the Sultan has the right to enact any kind of law he deems fit for the country. After all, how many times has Brunei interfered or condemned other independent states because of the strictness of their laws or style of government?
And as a matter of fact, Saudi Arabia is also using the Sharia law yet the United States is her best ally in the West. If America, a liberal state can freely relate with Saudi Arabia despite her macabre records of human rights violation, then who is the UN to remove the speck in the eye of Brunei when there is a log in its own eye. In other words, the UN must first condemn Saudi Arabia for operating harsh laws and the US “special relationship” with her before it calls out Brunei.
The Sultan of Brunei has not done anything wrong as far as I am concerned because he did it to hold the country together. Funny enough, these same governments and groups condemning Brunei now for enacting strict laws would be the ones to subsequently castigate her if she turns out to be a safe haven for rapists and armed robbers.
Brunei knows what is best for her; hence, the world does not have any right to tell her how to coordinate her affairs. As for the rights groups and governments calling out Brunei, let them channel their energy to delegalize abortion and speak out against the killings of the Southern Cameroonians. Similarly, the raging celebrities can direct their anger towards a better cause other than telling Brunei how to rule herself.
Ibitoye is a content and creative writer for Qwenu. He is a pen-lover who enjoys writing outside the box. He believes that writing can be a veritable tool of social transformation if writers can think creatively a century ahead of their society.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Media Revive Network.
