Nepalese parliament advances measure that would outlaw religious conversion

The Nepalese parliament has reportedly advanced a legislation that would outlaw religious conversions and the "hurting of religious sentiment" across the country.

On Aug. 8, the parliament passed a measure that was aimed at amending and integrating prevalent laws relating to Criminal Offense, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The legislation is expected to become law as soon as it is approved by the president.

However, there are concerns that the legislation could be used to target religious minorities, like what occurred in the Charikot case in June 2016, when eight Christians were accused of converting children after they shared a comic book about the story of Jesus.

CSW noted that the wording of Clause 158 of section 9 of the Bill is similar to Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which makes it a criminal offense to insult another's religion.

Human rights advocates in Nepal have argued that the bill restricts freedom of expression, as well as the freedom of religion or belief, and are now calling for the legislation to be amended.

"We are deeply concerned that if this Bill becomes law, we will see more cases like Charikot and further restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief in Nepal. The lesson from India is that anti-conversion laws not only restrict the rights of an individual to adopt a religion of their choice, but also put religious minority communities at risk of hostility and violence," said CSW Senior Press Officer Kiri Kankhwende.

Similar anti-conversion laws are currently enforced in Burma and in six Indian states. CSW has raised its concern that such laws have been misused to foster social intolerance and violence towards peaceful religious activities, and to falsely accuse religious minorities of forcefully converting others.

On Aug. 10, Lokmani Dhakal, MP of the Janjagaran party of Nepal, requested the removal of the sections that outlaws religious conversion. The lawmaker pointed out that the country is a signatory to international treaties that protect the freedom of religion and human rights.

"[P]lease don't let it be possible for the world to say of Nepal that we are the kind of nation that on the one hand signs international treaties but when making internal laws and in implementing them, does something else," the lawmaker added.

A recent report from World Religion News has noted that there has been a significant rise in the Christian population in Nepal, from 458 Christians in 1961 to 102,000 in 2001. In 2011, the number of Christians increased substantially to 375,000.

The report suggested that substantial increase was due in part to the caste system in Hinduism. While the caste system has been outlawed in Nepal since 2001, many people belonging to lower castes are compelled embrace Christianity because the discrimination based on caste continues to thrive, especially in the rural parts of the country.

Many non-Christian religious leaders suggested that one of the reasons behind the conversions was greed, claiming that those who were converted received money, free blankets, rice and clothes from Christian missionaries.

On the other hand, John Pudaite, president of Bibles For The World, asserted that the Church grew quickly because many people were attracted to Christ's message of truth and mercy.