Human rights in Brunei

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Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
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Since 1967, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah has presided over Brunei as a monarchy. Emergency powers have allowed the sultan to govern almost unhindered since 1962. The Legislative Council, which consists of appointed, indirectly elected, and ex officio members, met regularly throughout the year and served solely as an advisory body for the purpose of proposing and approving laws and spending plans. The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and the Internal Security Department (ISD), which are overseen by the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs respectively, are in charge of maintaining order and enforcing the law in the nation.^[1]

Independent monitoring of the human rights situation was challenging due to a lack of transparency. If enacted, phased changes to the Shari'a Penal Code would allow for the use of the death sentence as well as physical punishment for a variety of offenses, including caning and stoning, which constitute torture. The revisions would discriminate against women and significantly restrict people's freedoms of thought, conscience, and religion.^[2]