CEDAW Committee 64th session CSW?Stakeholder Submission, Myanmar June 2016..... "Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a human rights advocacy organisation promoting freedom of religion or belief for people of all faiths and none. In this submission, CSW would like to bring to the committee?s attention the situation of human rights, particularly freedom of religion or belief, for women in Myanmar with a specific focus on the package of ?Race and Religion” laws and violence against women. Whilst there has been some significant progress in recent years towards democracy and human rights protection in Myanmar, there remain grave concerns both in areas of freedom of religion or belief and women?s rights. In 2015, a set of four laws focusing on the ?protection of race and religion? were implemented. This legislation aims to restrict religious conversion, inter-­‐faith marriage, polygamy and population control, effectively embedding gender bias into the legal system. Under the new ?Buddhist Women?s Special Marriage Law” interfaith marriage between Buddhist women and Muslim men is restricted and the law requires interfaith couples to obtain a permit from local authorities to marry. In addition, anyone wishing to change their religion will be required to apply for permission to an 11-­member committee, consisting of officials responsible for religious affairs, immigration, women?s affairs and education. The new law violates Article 2 (non-­‐discrimination), Article 15 (equality before the law) and Article 16 (non-­‐discrimination in matters relating to marriage and family) of CEDAW. It also discriminates against religious minorities and undermines women?s right to freedom of religion or belief in Myanmar. The ?protection of race and religion? laws have been opposed by civil society in Burma and the international community. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar (Burma), Yanghee Lee, has highlighted ?significant human rights concerns” relating to the legislation on religious conversions and inter-­‐faith marriage, saying it would ?legalise discrimination, in particular against religious and ethnic minorities and against women”..."