fbpx
Connect with us

News

New Petition Calls for Oxford to Revoke Brunei Sultan’s Honorary Degree Due to Anti-Gay Laws

Published

People Are Petitioning For Oxford University To Revoke The Brunei Sultan'S Honorary Degree - World Of Buzz 2

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

Less than 24 hours ago, a Change.org petition was created in an effort to get the University of Oxford to rescind the Sultan of Brunei’s honorary degree. This comes in light of the law that just came into effect, in which members of the LGBTQ community and those committing adultery can be sentenced to death by stoning or whipping.

The controversial law received a lot of international backlash, with Hollywood celebrities like George Clooney, Elton John, and Ellen Degeneres announcing that they would be boycotting the luxury hotels owned by the Brunei Investment Agency.

Now, Oxford University’s student body has reportedly been pressuring the institution to revoke Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s honorary degree of civil law by diploma, which was given to him in 1993. 

According to the university’s student newspaper, The Oxford Student, King’s College London and the University of Aberdeen both stated that they will be reviewing the honorary degrees issued to the Sultan. A spokesperson from the University of Aberdeen was quoted as saying,

“The University of Aberdeen is inclusive and open to all. In light of this new information, this matter will be raised as a matter of urgency with the University’s Honorary Degrees Committee.”

However, Oxford is reportedly refusing to revoke the Brunei Sultan’s honorary degree, with a spokesman for the institution explaining,

“At present, the University will not be rescinding the Sultan of Brunei’s 1993 Honorary Degree of Civil Law by Diploma.”

“We share the international condemnation of Brunei’s new penal code and back the United Nations’ call to stop the code entering into force.”

In light of this issue, the Change.org petition that’s demanding for the university to rescind the Sultan’s degree was just created, garnering 160 signatures as of Thursday morning (4th April).

People Are Petitioning For Oxford University To Revoke The Brunei Sultan's Honorary Degree - World Of Buzz

Source: change. Org

The United Nations also issued a statement urging Brunei to stop enforcing its new “draconian” penal code, with its  High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet calling it “a serious setback for human rights protections for the people of Brunei if implemented.”

Meanwhile, Brunei issued a statement over the weekend, insisting that it enforces its own rule of law, with the Sultan stating that the country was fair and happy in a public address on Wednesday (3rd April). It is also unclear if this death sentence will ever be implemented, as a high burden of proof is needed to allow the sentence to be carried out, according to The Guardian.

In Amnesty International’s Death Sentences and Executions in 2017 report, Brunei issued one death sentence in 2017 but has not executed anyone since 1957, when the country was still a British protectorate.

What are your thoughts on this latest development? Let us know in the comments section. 

 

Also read: Hollywood Stars Are Boycotting Brunei’s Hotels After Death Sentence For LGBT Announced 

Hollywood Stars Are Boycotting Brunei's Hotels After Death Sentence For Lgbt Community Announced - World Of Buzz

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

Feat Image Death Feat Image Death
News4 hours ago

18yo Teen in Penang Dies from Electrocution While Charging His Smartphone Using Socket on Express Bus

A teenager has tragically died in Butterworth, Penang, after he was electrocuted while charging his smartphone using a socket onboard...

Feat Image Twin Tower Feat Image Twin Tower
News7 hours ago

M’sian Activist Urges KLCC Twin Towers be Renamed “Sabah & Sarawak” in Honour of The Borneo States

Malaysian activist and founder of Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS) Peter John Jaban has urged for the KLCC Twin Towers to...

Collage 13 Collage 13
News8 hours ago

“They’ve been here over 3 months” – Foreign Beggars at Johor Pasar Malam Make up to RM12,000 a Month

Foreign beggars are making up to RM12,000 a month at a night market in Johor. In an official statement by...

Feat Image Parking Fine Feat Image Parking Fine
News9 hours ago

M’sian Vehicle Owners with Unpaid Parking Fines Face CTOS Blacklist as They’re Now Added to The System

The Miri City Council (MCC) has introduced a new measure to ensure that vehicle owners in Sarawak’s second-largest city adhere...

Feat Image Arrest Feat Image Arrest
News10 hours ago

Thai Police Arrests Famous Kelantanese Female Celebrity at Golok Hotel for Possession of 6,000 Meth Pills

A popular Kelantanese female singer was arrested by the Thai Police at a hotel in Golok, Narathiwat, north of the...

Collage 12 Collage 12
News12 hours ago

Kelantan Govt Says Cinemas in the State Must Play Movies With Lights On to Prevent ‘Unhealthy’ Activities

After a few decades, Kelantan remains one of the states in Malaysia that don’t have cinemas. The state government, however,...

Feat Image Indo Ban Pixel Feat Image Indo Ban Pixel
News1 day ago

“Who’s next?” – After Apple iPhone 16 Series, Indonesia is Now Banning Google Pixel Smartphones in The Country

Previously, we shared how Apple’s latest flagship smartphone series, the iPhone 16 Series, is currently banned from being sold in...

Feat Image Bnm New Rule Feat Image Bnm New Rule
News1 day ago

Bank Negara Now Requires All Money Changers in Malaysia to Record Full Name & IC Number of Customers

If you’re planning on visiting your local authorised money changer before that overseas trip to change Malaysian Ringgit banknotes to...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY