A horrific new law has come into effect today that could see same-sex couples whipped or stoned to death in the Kingdom of Brunei.
People convicted of robbery - including children - may also have their limbs amputated under the penal code.
And those found guilty of adultery and rape will face the same fate under the new Islamic criminal law.
Currently people convicted of same-sex activities can be jailed for 10 years.
The decision to implement the brutal new punishments has sparked huge condemnation around the world.
Today, the United States urged Brunei to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
Gay people to be stoned to death under horrific new law in Brunei
State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said in a statement: "Brunei's decision to implement Phases Two and Three of the Sharia Penal Code and associated penalties runs counter to its international human rights obligations, including with respect to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
"We continue to encourage Brunei to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which it signed in 2015, and to sign, ratify, and implement the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."
Brunei, a Muslim-majority former British protectorate, has a population of around 400,000.
It was the first East Asian country to introduce Islamic criminal law in 2014 when it announced the first of three stages of legal changes that included fines or jail for offences like pregnancy outside marriage or failing to pray on Friday.
George Clooney calls for luxury hotels boycott over LGBT death penalty in Brunei
The country delayed implementing the final two stages of changes after an international backlash in 2014 but has now gone ahead with both.
Matthew Woolfe, founder of human rights group The Brunei Project said last week: “It took us by surprise that the government has now given a date and is rushing through implementation."
Oscar-winning actor George Clooney calls for luxury hotels boycott over LGBT death penalty in Brunei also called for a boycott of luxury hotels owned by Brunei, including the Beverly Hills Hotel, because of the country's plans to impose the punishments.
Among the hotels singled out by Clooney is the plush Dorchester in London, which is owned by the Brunei Investment Agency.
Also singled out are UK hotels 45 Park Lane in London and Coworth Park in Berkshire - the plush venue where Prince Harry stayed the night before he married Meghan Markle .
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In an impassioned article in Deadline , Clooney wrote: "Every single time we stay at, or take meetings at or dine at any of these nine hotels we are putting money directly into the pockets of men who choose to stone and whip to death their own citizens for being gay or accused of adultery.
"Are we really going to help pay for these human rights violations?
"Are we really going to help fund the murder of innocent citizens?"
He described the locations as "nice hotels" staffed by "kind and helpful" people who have no part in the ownership.
Rachel Chhoa-Howard, Brunei Researcher at Amnesty International, said last week: “Pending provisions in Brunei’s Penal Code would allow stoning and amputation as punishments – including for children, to name only their most heinous aspects.
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“Brunei must immediately halt its plans to implement these vicious punishments, and revise its Penal Code in compliance with its human rights obligations.
"The international community must urgently condemn Brunei’s move to put these cruel penalties into practice.
“As well as imposing cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments, it blatantly restricts the rights to freedom of expression, religion, and belief, and codifies discrimination against women and girls.”
