Elton John has joined calls for a boycott of luxury hotels owned by Brunei over the country's strict new laws against gay people.
New punishments for same-sex sexual acts and adultery come into effect in the small nation from April 3rd, including death by stoning.
A punishment of amputation for robbery is also set to become law.
The punishments are provided for in newly-implemented sections of the country's penal code, based on strict Sharia law which has been gradually rolled out in the country since 2014
Here, Health Minister Simon Harris described the new laws as "sickening", and called for international pressure to be applied to have the decision reversed.
A despicable & horrific decision which must be called out as such by all & international pressure applied to reverse such an appalling breach of human rights. Sickening. https://t.co/1Gp8hWHJ2M
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 31, 2019
George Clooney last week led calls for an "immediate boycott" of nine hotels owned by the government-controlled Brunei Investment Agency - including the exclusive Dorchester hotel in London - over the new laws.
In an article for Deadline, he said: "Are we really going to help pay for these human rights violations? Are we really going to help fund the murder of innocent citizens?"
In a series of tweets on Saturday, Elton John said: "I commend my friend, George Clooney, 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.
"Our hearts go out to the good, hardworking employees of properties owned by the Sultan of Brunei, many of whom we know to be gay."
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.— Elton John (@eltonofficial) March 30, 2019
He listed the nine luxury hotels - which are located in the UK, US, France and Italy - as ones for people to boycott.
Brunei is located on the island of on the island of Borneo, and has an estimated population of less than 500,000 people.
It became a wealthy economy following the discovery of oil in the early 20th century.
