Myanmar Proposes Religious Harmony Law to Thwart Animosity Among Religions
ICC NOTE: The infant democratic government of Myanmar is attempting to pass a religious harmony law which had previously been attempted prior to the National League for Democracy’s victory. In said legislation, it calls for a peaceful cohabitation of religious groups devoid of violence and animosity which has plagued Myanmar for decades. Radical Buddhist groups have targeted Christian and Muslim minorities with violence, harassment, and land confiscations. With the government calling for the international community to stop describing the Muslim minority as Rohingya and Buddhist pagodas being erected on church property, the bill seems to be an attempt to deflect the actions and rhetoric of the country.
5/20/2016 Burma (Myanmar Times) – U Ko Ni, legal adviser to the National League for Democracy, said discussions were being held with interfaith groups to revive proposed legislation that had failed to get through parliament under U Thein Sein’s administration.
‘’There are two main purposes – one is to promote the aspect of living harmoniously among religions, and the second is to take effective action against those who try to disturb the status of harmony,” he said.
Religious Affairs and Culture Minister Thura U Aung Ko met members of an interfaith group in Mandalay on May 5 to discuss legislation that would ensure equal rights for all religions. He also met an interfaith group in Yangon on May 15. His ministry has not revealed details of the proposed law.
Discussions about the new law come as Buddhist nationalists have sought to stir up inter-religious tensions, protesting against Muslims identifying themselves as Rohingya, and using social media to spread hate speech.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has come under considerable international criticism for what is seen as her reluctance to tackle the issue of religious and civil rights for Muslims in Rakhine State.
Religious tensions are also rising in Kayin State where a prominent Buddhist monk has defied the authorities by building stupas in compounds of Christian and Muslim communities.