Oral Statement
62nd session of the Human Rights Council
NGO: Jubilee Campaign
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Jubilee Campaign and Christian Solidarity International would like to thank the delegation of Nepal for engaging with the Universal Periodic Review process.
At the previous 2015 Review, Nepal supported recommendations 121.16 and 122.40 to implement the new Constitution and ensure the rights of minority populations in Nepal.
In order to comply with its obligations under international law the state of Nepal, under new leadership, should work to amend Article 26(3) of its Constitution and Section 158 of its penal code by the next reporting period to clarify that proselytization is allowed and that only forcible conversion is prohibited. These actions will serve as a benchmark in achieving full equality for religious minorities and removing discrimination in line with the previous recommendations given in section 124.16 of the 2015 Report of the Working Group .
We recommend the Nepali authorities work with civil society from minority communities to create, distribute, and encourage utilization of training material for police and judges to help them better implement the Nepali laws and Constitution in line with the international human rights obligations of Nepal. This aligns with the supported recommendation 122.38 to ensure an inclusive dialogue with all Nepalese minority groups.
We thank Nepal for inviting the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues to the country and encourage they also invite the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association and freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief during the next two reporting periods.
Thank you.