Civic groups oppose laws to safeguard nationality and religion
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Civic organisations opposing draft laws on safeguarding nationality and religion have demanded to meet President Thein Sein as well as parliamentary speaker Thura Shwe Mann.
Yet, there has been no response yet to their written request, submitted on May 12, according to May Sabai Phyu, coordinator of the Kachin Women’s Peace Network, one of the groups opposing the law.
Up to 154 civic society organisations signed a petition voicing their opposition to the laws. They say the attempts to draft these laws are aimed at diverting attention from the debate around constitutional reform and the next 2015 election.
The government has been under attacks by the international community for the religion bill, which will subject citizens to penalties for religious conversion. Meanwhile, the population control bill will limit the number of children of Muslim citizens.
Other legislative authorities asked for approval to include Tun Tun Oo, deputy attorney-general and chairman of Bills Commission, and Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the Rule of Law and Stability Committee, while a copy has also been sent to the UNHCR.
The Nationality and Religion Safeguarding Association (NRSA) has invited these opposing groups to a briefing but they insist meeting with legislative organisations only.
A member of NRSA’s central executive committee, Maung Maung said the association was always open to a coordination meeting but they argue that any objections are politically motivated.
In July last year, the chairman of the NRSA central branch requested the President to enact controversial laws concerning religious conversion, marriage, monogamy and population growth control.
President Thein Sein in turn sent a message to parliament on February 25 this year to consider the drafting process.
Parliamentary Speaker Thura Shwe Mann sent a message back to the president saying that the matter related to government ministries and departments. He asked the relevant departments to draft the bills to submit to the parliament with an approval from the government.
The president subsequently formed a commission to draft the bills related to religion conversion and population control out of the proposed four bills. The commission will submit those two bills to the president no later than June 30.
On May 2, Myint Kyaing on May 2, a director general from Ministry of Immigration and Population, said that the bills will soon be released for public debate. 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 suggestions, Myint Kyaing said.
“We will soon publish the four drafts on state-owned newspapers, within one or two days. They’re all finished. We will request the public for their suggestions. According to suggestions from the public and organisations, we will amend the draft provisions before completion,” he said.
The drafting commission, chaired by Tun Tun Oo, the deputy attorney general, is expected to submit the two draft bills to the president not later than June 30.
