Dua Lipa supports Brunei boycott as gay sex death penalty becomes law
Dua Lipa. (Emma McIntyre/Getty)
Dua Lipa has urged her followers to boycott Brunei-owned businesses after the country instituted a penal code which punishes homosexuality with death.
On Thursday (April 4), the “New Rules” singer tweeted: “Gay rights are human rights. Boycott the industries and the people that believe in inhumane anti LGBT+ laws.
Gay rights are human rights. Boycott the the industries and the people that believe in inhumane anti LGBT+ laws. Taking a stand today and forever to show support. The fight is never over we’re only scratching the surface but we need to be louder than ever. #BoycottBrunei ️ pic.twitter.com/hFkaa27KzD
— DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) April 4, 2019
“Taking a stand today and forever to show support. The fight is never over we’re only scratching the surface but we need to be louder than ever. #BoycottBrunei ️ ” she added above a photo of shoes emblazoned with the LGBT+ Pride flag.
Dua Lipa joins Brunei boycott started by George Clooney
Last week, George Clooney launched a boycott of Brunei-owned luxury hotels over the country’s anti-LGBT laws.
He vowed to boycott the luxury Dorchester Collection hotels owned by the Southeast Asian state, and was soon joined in this pledge by stars like LGBT+ icons Ellen DeGeneres and Elton John.
Sir Elton tweeted on March 30: “I commend my friend, #GeorgeClooney, for taking a stand against the anti-gay discrimination and bigotry taking place in the nation of #Brunei—a place where gay people are brutalised, or worse—by boycotting the Sultan’s hotels.”
Dua Lipa has become the latest celebrity to vocally oppose Beirut’s new penal code. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty)
He added: “We must send a message, however we can, that such treatment is unacceptable. That’s why David and I have long refused to stay at these hotels and will continue to do so. We hope you will join us in solidarity.”
And on April 2, DeGeneres joined the campaign, tweeting: “We need to do something now. Please boycott these hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Raise your voices now. Spread the word. Rise up.”
Brunei anti-gay law comes into effect despite boycott
Despite facing international outcry, the southeast Asian country’s new Sharia law-based penal code, which makes gay sex an offence punishable by stoning to death, came into effect on April 3.
The code requires death by stoning for gay sex or adultery, while lesbian sex is punishable by 100 lashes with a whip.
Homosexuality was already illegal in Brunei, but was previously punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
“I appeal to the Government to stop the entry into force of this draconian new penal code.”
— Michelle Bachelet
The new code was first announced in 2014, and was enacted this week despite condemnation from figures including United Nations high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet, who branded the laws “cruel and inhuman.”
She added: “I appeal to the Government to stop the entry into force of this draconian new penal code, which would mark a serious setback for human rights protections for the people of Brunei if implemented.”
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has defended the law against international outrage, saying that Brunei has the right as a “sovereign Islamic and fully independent country” to “enforce its own rule of laws… like all other independent countries.”
