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
- NOVEMBER 3, 1999BruneiDEATH PENALTY
On November 3, Ambassador Jemat Ampal, speaking at...
On November 3, Ambassador Jemat Ampal, speaking at the Third Committee of the General Assembly (human rights) under item 116a (death penalty), said his country does not oppose discussions on the issue of death penalty but would have preferred it to be con
- JULY 22, 1999BruneiDEATH PENALTY
Brunei Darussalam signed the letter, dated 22 July...
Brunei Darussalam signed the letter, dated 22 July 1999, addressed to the President of the Economic and Social Council, in which the retentionist countries dissociated from the Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/61 on the question of the death pen
- JANUARY 1, 1999BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful...
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives, and drug trafficking (import and export of over 15g of morphine or heroin; possession of over 30g of morphine or heroin for the purpose of unauthorized trafficking