Overview:

• State privilege is granted to Buddhism.

• As a result, a system of partial recognition is in place because even though non-Buddhist groups may register and gain “official status”, this does not equate to the same level of recognition that Buddhism and Buddhist institutions receive.

• Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Animism are given existential recognition but not to the same degree as Buddhism; any other groups may only gain a degree of recognition through legal registration.

• Recognition and registration are differentiated although the former is misused in a way that excludes belief systems and groups.

• The rule of mandatory registration violates the Bielefeldt provision.

• The state has its own interpretations of Buddhism which it uses to justify its banning of all monastic orders other than the orders it recognises.

Positive elements:

• Nil.

Recommendations:

• Complete dismantlement of the present order that systemically controls religion and belief and uses brutal force to maintain this control including the discontinuation of the genocide against the Rohingya people.

• Establish a new recognition system that is inclusive of all belief systems and their derivatives, has provisions for both existential recognition and legal registration, and is able to conduct such recognition and registration at multiple levels of operation.

• Revoke and repeal current laws that terminally restrict religious activity and procedures for recognition.