Written statement submitted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC). "...MYANMAR: Although the government of the Union of Myanmar claims to safeguard religious freedom, indications are otherwise. While a predominantly Buddhist country, there are also large Christian and Muslim communities in Myanmar. Notwithstanding, the government emphasises Buddhist ceremony in its performance of routine state functions. In so doing it ostracises other religious groups and sets Buddhist standards as the norm for state institutions. Students in schools are thus obliged to participate in Buddhist ritual irrespective of their religious beliefs. Office-holders in state agencies are almost without exception Buddhist..."