Brunei
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- Constitutional Sultanate
- CONSTITUTION
- September 29, 1959
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on Islamic law and English common law; note - in May 2014, part of the Sharia penal code was established, which is applied alongside common law to both Muslims and Non-Muslims
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- The Legislative Council met for the first time in 20 years on September 25, 2004, with 21 members appointed by the Sultan. They voted on constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; the Sultan dissolved the council on September 1, 2005, and appointed a new one with 29 members.
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, judges appointed for three years by the Sultan. The final court of appeal in civil cases is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. Sharia Courts handle Islamic law
RELIGIONS
67% Muslims; 13% Buddhists; 10% Christians; 10% Other
From the country
- APRIL 22, 2014BruneiDEATH PENALTY
BRUNEI POSTPONES NEW PENAL CODE THAT CALLS FOR ‘DEATH BY STONING’ FOR GAY SEX
Brunei has postponed its planned implementation of its new penal code that includes harsh Islamic
APRIL 11, 2014BruneiDEATH PENALTYBRUNEI: UNITED NATIONS VOICED DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE NEW SHARIA PENAL CODE
the United Nations human rights office voiced deep concern about the revised penal code in Brunei
FEBRUARY 3, 2014BruneiDEATH PENALTYBRUNEI: SHARIAH-BASED PENAL CODE SET TO TAKE EFFECT, GAYS RISK STONING, EXECUTION
In what the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) are calling ‘a step backward’ for human rights, the
- JANUARY 1, 2014BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- OCTOBER 22, 2013BruneiDEATH PENALTY
BRUNEI INTRODUCES STONING, FLOGGING, AMPUTATION AMONG NEW SHARIA PUNISHMENTS
The Sultan of Brunei has announced tough new Islamic punishments as part of a new sharia penal
- JANUARY 1, 2013BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2012BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
- JANUARY 1, 2011BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
- JANUARY 1, 2010BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
- JANUARY 30, 2009BruneiDEATH PENALTY
BRUNEI SULTAN COMMUTES OFW DEATH PENALTY
the Sultan of Brunei commuted to life the death sentence of a Filipino worker who was convicted of murder.
- JANUARY 1, 2009BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
- NOVEMBER 28, 2008BruneiDEATH PENALTY
BRUNEIAN'S DEATH PENALTY QUASHED BY APPEALS COURT
a 28 year old Brunei fisherman, caught in an anti-drug raid and condemned to die, escaped the gallows when the Brunei Appeals Court set him free.