Bills drafted for religion, population control
Legislation will be revised after suggestions from the public
Myanmar has drafted legislation designed for religious conversion and population control which will soon be released for public debate, said director-general of the Ministry of Immigration and Population Myint Kyaing.
President Thein Sein formed a drafting commission on March 7, and the commission convened three times to complete its work.
The bills will be revised in accordance with the public’s suggestions, Myint Kyaing said.
“We will soon publish the four drafts in state-owned newspapers. They’re all finished. We will request the public to give their suggestions, and according to these suggestions from the public and various organisations, we will amend the draft provisions before completion,” he said.
The commission held its meetings and workshops in a transparent manner to draft the bills in accordance with the Constitution, emphasising on the country’s diverse religions and aiming to enhance national unity for long-term interests of the nation.
The chairman of the Religious and Nationality Safeguarding Association (Central) recently requested Thein Sein to enact such laws concerning religious conversion, marriage, monogamy and population growth control.
The president in his turn sent a message to parliament on February 25 to activate the drafting process.
Acting on the presidential request, Parliamentary Speaker Thura Shwe Mann said the matters related to religious conversion and population growth control are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Immigration and Population and the Ministry of Religion, while the issues of marriage and monogamy are under the purview of the Supreme Court.
He asked relevant departments to draft the bills and submit them to parliament with approval from the government.
Thein Sein subsequently formed the commission under the chairmanship of Tun Tun Oo, the deputy attorney general, to draft the bills related to religion conversion and population control.
Inter-faith marriage
The commission is to submit the two draft bills not later than June 30 to the president.
The religious conversion bill is being drafted under the backdrop of inter-faith marriage.
Singapore has two marital legislations such as the Muslim Law Act and the Women’s Charter. It bans marriage between a Muslim and non-Muslim. A non-Muslim woman is required to attend one-year religious conversion training before becoming a Muslim wife. Official interviewers are obliged to ask a Muslim man whether he is able to guide his bride-to-be on the path of becoming a Muslim wife.
