The state of civic space in Brunei is rated as ‘repressed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor and there has been no documented progress on improvements to fundamental freedoms. Brunei is an absolute monarchy in which the Sultan, the head of state, exercises executive power and in which there are no elected representatives at national level. The Sultan continues to wield power under a long-standing state of emergency,
There are no provisions protecting freedom of speech in the constitution or laws. Long-standing emergency powers are used to restrict the right to assembly. The law does not provide for freedom of association and there are no human rights groups in the country. A few domestic organisations work on humanitarian issues, such as assistance for victims of domestic violence or provision of free legal counsel.
In June 2025, the Office of the High Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR) wrote to the government following the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) adoption at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2025. In the letter, the UN highlighted concerns raised by the Working Group regarding limited enjoyment of fundamental freedoms, including the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association following the state of emergency in the country, which was declared in 1962.
During the review in November 2024 there were a range of recommendations on civil space made by states, including to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and to consider the establishment of an independent national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles, which Brunei did not support during its adoption in March 2025.
Expression
States also made recommendations to adopt legislation to ensure the full exercise of freedom of opinion and expression; review current legislation that could restrict freedom of expression and of the press, and to adopt a freedom of information law in accordance with international standards.
As previously documented, there is an array of restrictive law that creates a climate of fear for expression in Brunei. The Sedition Act includes a penalty of up to three years of imprisonment for publishing materials with seditious intent, while the Undesirable Publications Act empowers the minister to prohibit the importation or sale of publications deemed to be against public interests.
Further, the country’s Penal Code criminalises defamation with sentences of up to five years’ imprisonment, and the Broadcasting Act of 1997 empowers the minister responsible for the broadcasting sector to exercise licensing and regulatory functions in respect of broadcasting services and industry.
The Newspapers Act 1958, as amended by the Local Newspapers Order 2001, allows the government to close a newspaper without giving prior notice or showing cause, and requires local newspapers to obtain operating licences and prior government approval for hiring foreign editorial staff, journalists and printers. Journalists commonly report practising self-censorship because of social pressure, report government interference and pressure, and legal and professional concerns. The government censors online content and has the capability to monitor private online communications.
All the recommendations were not supported by the Brunei government
Association
There were also recommendations to ensure legislation to protect freedom of association, which were not supported. Currently, the law does not provide for the protection of freedom of association. Under the 2005 Societies Order, no more than 10 people can associate for a purpose without registering. Neither domestic nor international human rights groups can operate freely due to government restrictions.
Peaceful Assembly
Recommendations were also made by states to ensure legislation to protect freedom of peaceful assembly, which Brunei also rejected. Long-standing emergency powers are used to restrict the right to assembly. According to the Public Order Act, police may disband an unofficial assembly of five or more persons deemed likely to cause a disturbance of the peace. Permits require the approval of the minister of home affairs.