Myanmar president signs anti-Muslim bill into law

Myanmar’s President Thein Sein has signed into law a controversial religious bill, despite warnings from rights groups against the anti-Muslim motives behind the measure.

The bill was approved by the parliament last week. Based on the law, those wishing to change their religion must go through strict interviews and long-time scrutiny. The move was proposed by hard-line Buddhist monks. It goes against Myanmar’s own constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion. Human Rights Watch has warned that the implementation of the law could further stoke communal tensions. Myanmar has been criticized for its persecution of minority Rohingya Muslims. Activists say the new legislation will put more pressure on Muslims, many of whom have already been displaced internally and externally.

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