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<p>A state of emergency has existed in Brunei since the revolt in 1962. This has meant
that freedoms of expression and assembly have been curtailed, and there are strict
controls on civil society organisations. As such, there are few civil society pressure
groups in Brunei.</p><p>Despite this, the British Government works closely with a
range of civil society organisations, such as The Commonwealth Equality Network, which
works tirelessly to end discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation
and gender identity. At last year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the
Prime Minister made clear that nobody should face persecution or discrimination for
who they are or whom they love. We have since allocated £5.6 million to enable the
Equality and Justice Alliance – a consortium of civil society organisations – to support
those countries who wish to reform legislation which discriminates on the grounds
of gender identity or sexual orientation.</p><p>We will continue to encourage and
work with the Government of Brunei, as with many other countries, to remove corporal
and capital punishment from its statutes. We will also urge Brunei to take steps to
decriminalise, and pass laws to protect LGBT people from all forms of discrimination.</p>
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