Myanmar to Pass Bills Curbing Religious Freedoms

Monday, March 30, 2015

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

NAYPYIDAW (Worthy News)-- The government of Myanmar is about to pass a series of so-called religious protection bills into law after its Lower House approved two of the bills on March 19, according to Barnabas Aid.

Although intended for mostly Muslim communities, some bills will also restrict the rights of the country's Christians by curbing any conversions to non-Buddhist religions. For example, the Religious Conversion bill states that anyone wishing to convert to another religion must first obtain permission from local authorities.

Further, the Women's Special Marriage decree states that Buddhist women who marry men of other religions must also apply to their local authorities for permission provided they continue to practice their own Buddhist religion.

Anyone accused of forcing his Buddhist wife to convert to another religion risks fines and/or imprisoned.