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<p>Restrictions on interfaith marriage, religious conversion and population growth
are currently being debated in the Burmese parliament. We are concerned that, if enacted,
these laws could harm religious tolerance and respect for diversity in Burma, and
contravene international standards and treaties to which Burma is a signatory.</p><p>
</p><p>We have voiced our concerns over this proposed legislation to members of the
Burmese government and to Burmese parliamentarians. Most recently, Minister of State
at the Home Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne
Featherstone), raised the issue when she met Deputy Foreign Minister Thant Kyaw during
her visit to Burma in January. The UK also endorsed a statement issued by EU Heads
of Mission in Rangoon in January reiterating those concerns and calling on the Burmese
government and parliament to ensure that all new legislation is fully compliant with
Burma’s international human rights obligations. We will continue to raise this issue
in our dealings with the Burmese authorities, both in public and in private.</p>
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