Boycotts and protests of the famed Beverly Hills Hotel have shined a bright light on the oil-rich nation of Brunei's recent imposition of Sharia law, a brutal criminal code that now includes amputations and floggings for some offenses and the stoning to death of known gays, lesbians, transgender people and others, as homosexuality and adultery are now considered crimes that should be punished by a torturous execution.
The sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who implemented Sharia law himself, owns the Dorchester Collection of hotels, which includes the Beverly Hills Hotel, long a favorite of Hollywood stars. This week Jay Leno protested outside the hotel with the Feminist Majority Foundation, which moved its Global Women's Rights Awards from the hotel. Gill Action's Political OutGiving conference, focused on LGBT rights, moved its conference last month. Ellen DeGeneres called for a boycott. Virgin CEO Richard Branson tweeted on Saturday, "No @Virgin employee, nor our family, will stay at Dorchester Hotels until the Sultan abides by basic human rights."
