Myanmar Considers Requiring Permission to Convert
The Myanmar government is considering a new bill restricting religious conversions.
The measure would require anyone seeking to change their religion to get permission first from the Religious Conversion Registration, and proselytizers could face up to a year in prison.
Reportedly its purpose is to make sure conversions are not coerced. The country is mostly Buddhist with Christians and Muslim minorities.
"Having to get permission from authorities for religious conversion restricts freedom of choice," Ma Thida, a well-known journalist, writer and former political prisoner, said.
"Any grown-up person has the right to convert to any religion of their choice without administrative interference," she added.
Christians and Muslims have been persecuted there for decades.
