There are about 500,000 Chin people living in Myanmar, and they believe in many different faiths, including Christianity, Buddhism, and various other religions. If the “Religious Conversion Law” prohibits a non-Buddhist Chin man from marrying a Buddhist Chin woman, then it could prevent a legitimate marriage between two Chin individuals who believe in different faiths—a situation which is  unacceptable, according to the statement.

“In a country characterized by its ethnic and religious diversity, it is most appropriate for this country to adopt policies based on a secular state and to abolish the Ministry of Religious Affairs, as well as to do away with constitutional provisions relating to religion, specifically Articles 361, 362, and 363,” reads the CNDP statement.

Last week, various church leaders in Hakha Town held a prayer meeting to boycott the proposed Religious Conversion Law. The meeting was attended by around 800 people and took place on June 16th in Hakha’s Carson Hall, where Pastor Bawi Cung Lian said, “This draft can hinder the progress of Christianity. So we’re holding a prayer meeting to oppose the adoption of this law and change the mindset of concerned authorities and the President.”

In addition, a demonstration protesting the draft Religious Conversion Law was held by members of the Chin Baptist Church in front of Myanmar’s embassy in Washington, DC on June 13th, and US-based Chin leaders have also sent a letter to Burmese President Thein Sein asking him to reject the proposed law and discourage any discussion of the law in Burma’s parliament.