Legal protections for Buddhism likely to be enacted: Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun
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NP News - July 29
Under increasingly high threats against Buddhism and Buddhist monks in Myanmar, there are possibilities to endorse legal provisions for defending the religion and the venerable Buddhist monks in case the public calls to ratify, according to Major General Zaw Min Tun.
Major General Zaw Min Tun said, “Now we are demanded to endorse legal protections for Buddhism and the venerable monks. As a matter of fact, legal ratifications are emerged based on the public demands and the conditions required to make laws. We will carry out discussion with the related personnel and take advice from legal scholars to make this effective lawfully.”
In recent days, one of the leaders of the anti-government group instigated to assault and to kill the venerable Buddhist monks like Sayadaw Sitagu and Ashin Chekinda.
Currently, the country doesn’t have special laws or urgent regulatory orders for taking action against religious insults and assaults.
Major General Zaw Min Tun said, “Regarding with religion, we currently prosecute the offenses under legal sections prescribed in Chapter 15 of the Penal Code for the religious offenses. It includes from Section 295 (a) to 298. For the cyber harassment against religions, offenses can be litigated under Telecommunications law.”
He continued, “At present, no specific law is ratified by the Ministry of Religion to take actions against the religious assaults. However, legal orders and legal provisions arise in accord with the public demands and the required conditions. We will discuss this matter and there may be laws or legal protections to defend the religion.”
Last updated figures say a total of 53 Buddhist monks and a Buddhist nun were brutally killed; nine were injured and eight missing as of July 2022.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing urged to conduct investigations and examinations against the terrorists who committed terror offenses on religious persons at the special courts to charge maximum sentences.