Written by Don Byrd
A new constitution in Nepal may contain very disturbing provisions that threaten the freedom of millions of the country’s religious minorities. Today, you can do something about it. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter is encouraging Cooperative Baptists and all people of faith to sign a letter urging the government of Nepal to protect religious freedom in its constitution.
In a blog post describing the call to action, CBF’s Aaron Weaver explains the issue:
After more than eight years of deliberation, the Constituent Assembly of Nepal is likely only days away from completing a final draft of a new constitution. A recently released draft of this Constitution keeps in place alarming language for the 20 percent of the people (roughly 5.6 million) who are not Hindu.
Section 31(3) of this new draft criminalizes “any act to convert another person from one religion to another.”
There are 167 Baptist churches in Nepal (20 members or more) and 250 Baptist fellowships (less than 20 members) representing more than 17,000 baptized believers.
The letter in response, which will be sent to the Nepali Embassy, is a project of the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, a Christian organization advocating for religious freedom as a universal human right.
Add your name to the letter by e-mailing your name, professional title, and city/state/country today – August 14, 2015, to [email protected].
Anti-conversion laws are direct threats to universal rights of conscience. All people of faith should stand together against them.
