Christian group urges Nepal not to outlaw conversion

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has repeated its call for religious freedom to be respected in Nepal after the constituent assembly passed a Bill on Monday extending the deadline for a new constitution by a further three months.

CSW is asking Nepal to ensure that religious freedom and other human rights are enshrined in the new constitution.

It said there was an air of expectancy that the newly-elected Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai, would be able to oversee the completion of the constitution-drafting process.

CSW recently presented a briefing on protecting religious freedom to members of the constituent assembly advising them not to include clauses forbidding conversion in either the constitution or penal code.

The briefing points out that such proposed anti-conversion clauses are in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Nepal is a state party.

CSW’s South Asia Team Leader, David Griffiths, said, "There is a sense of optimism in Nepal about the prospects for finalising the constitution under the leadership of the new Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai.

"Whether that is possible within a three-month deadline remains to be seen.

"However, we continue to encourage members of the constituent assembly to take care that fundamental rights are enshrined fully in the new constitution, including freedom of religion, which would be restricted under the current proposals."