Forum on Minority Issues: Oral statement Agenda Point 3: Protection of the existence of and prevention of violence against religious minorities Thank you Madam Chair I am Salai Val Thang, from the Chin ethnic minority and I am here on behalf of the CNF, the Chin National Front. The Chin people are an ethnic and religious minority in Burma. 90% of the Chin people consider themselves Christians, whilst the majority of the Burmese people, including the government are Buddhist. As a minority, discrimination and violence are the biggest problems that the Chin people are faced with in Burma. I have experienced this myself in my village. I will first list some violations that the Chin are faced with in Burma followed by recommendations. Destruction of religious symbols, artifacts and buildings. The crosses and church buildings of the Chin are being destroyed. Physical violence towards worshippers and religious leaders in Burma. Discriminatory practices towards the Chin, in some places we are unable to buy houses or land. • Disruption of Sunday church services. The obligation to ask for permission from the local government to celebrate religious holidays. I would like to issue the following recommendations in order to safeguard the religious rights of the Chin: To respect the religious symbols, buildings and ceremonies of the Christian Chin people. To abolish discriminatory policies towards the Chin, in particular with regard to the celebration of religious holidays. To establish a representative body specifically designed to observe the development of religious rights of the Christian Chin. Thank you for your attention.