Nepal Christian Society has published a press Release regarding the “Criminal Code on religion” . The translation of the same is as following:
The Nepal Christian Society would like to draw attention to all concerned on the recently presented “Criminal Code on religion” recommended by the Military Law Amendment and Improvement Working Committee. Following is the translation of the press release issued by the Nepal Christian Society on 24 June 2011.
Press Release Nepal Christian Society would like to draw attention to Section 9 Article 160 of the “Criminal Code” presented by the Military Law Amendment and Improvement Working Committee on crime related to religion that states religion conversion is forbidden:
1. No one should be allowed convert ones religion or abet others to change their religion.”
2. No one will be allowed to do anything or behave in any way that could cause a person from a caste, community or creed to lose faith in his/her traditional religion or convert to a different religion and also prohibit conversion by offering inducements or without inducement and preaching a different religion or faith with any other intent.
3. Those involved in acts that defy the sub-articles 1 and 2 will receive upto 5 years of imprisonment and NRs. 50,000 fine.
4. If the person involved in acts that defy sub-article 1 is a foreigner s/he will be deported from Nepal within 7 days of the sentence to imprisonment.
Though the Interim Constitution has declared Nepal as a secular state the Nepal Christian Society would like to draw attention of all concerned that such step taken by the government in the course of developing a new constitution does not benefit any religion or religious groups.
It is worth mentioning that Nepal has signed UN Human Rights Manifesto. Also related to this Article 18 of ICCPR and Article 18 of Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief states that everyone can proclaim their belief and faith in private and public places without any hindrances or discrimination (UN General Assembly Resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981).
Thus we would like to bring to the attention of all religious community, political parties, journalists, civil societies, rights activists on the Section 9 Article 160 Sub-article 1, 2, 3 and 4 that goes against the freedom of expression and citizen’s rights to practice and change religion is unjust and in dilemma and request them to take necessary initiatives to correct these sections.
Translated by Raju Pradhan
Republished in new layout 7/4/2013
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