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Burma: Law Demands Three-Year Gap Between Kids

Burma: Law Demands Three-Year Gap Between Kids

Mothers in Burma could be required to have their children at least three years apart, after a controversial population law was passed.

The bill has faced staunch objections from rights activists, who claim the law could repress ethnic and religious minorities.

President Thein Sein's approval of the Population Control Health Care Bill followed pressure from anti-Muslim Buddhist monks, who believe high birth rates could lead to Islam taking over the country.

At present, less than 10% of the nation's 50 million inhabitants are Muslim.

Under the bill, which does not carry punitive measures, regions have the ability to enforce birth-spacing guidelines if they experience high rates of population growth.

Khin Lay, a women's rights activist, described the law as "very disappointing".

She added: "If the government wants to protect women, they should strengthen laws already in place to do that."

A US diplomat told the president of his "deep concern" about the legislation, as it would "undermine reproductive rights, women's rights and religious freedom".

During a two-day visit to Burma, US deputy secretary of state Anthony Blinken told reporters: "We shared the concerns that these bills can exacerbate ethic and religious divisions and undermine the country's efforts to promote tolerance and diversity."

The legislation comes as thousands of Rohingya Muslims flee violence and persecution in Burma on rickety, crowded boats.

In the western state of Rakhine, an estimated 140,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. Many have little freedom of movement, and minimal access to sufficient healthcare and education.