Lawmakers have passed controversial legislation on Tuesday that imposes restrictions on interfaith marriages, despite opposition from rights advocates who say it discriminates against women and Muslims in the country according to an RFA report on 7 July.
The law requires Buddhist women and men of other faiths to register their intent to marry with local authorities, who will display a public notice of the engagements. Couples can marry only if there are no objections; but if they violate the law, they could face imprisonment.
Critics have argued that the legislation does not apply the law equally to all people and ignores domestic and international human rights standards.
Supporters, however, say the law will protect Buddhist women who marry outside their faith.
The law is part of a series of four laws on marriage, religion, polygamy, and family planning proposed by a Buddhist organization called the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, which is affiliated with a nationalist Buddhist monk group.