Kathmandu, Nepal, Apr 27, 2019 / 15:31 pm
Reports of five Christians being arrested on faith-related charges in Nepal this week have sparked international concern and calls for changes to the country's strict anti-conversion laws.
"Nobody should be persecuted because of their faith," said Tehmina Arora, senior counsel for ADF International, South Asia. "The arrested were simply tending to the needs of the Christian community in Nepal. Their right to do so is firmly secured under international law."
Arora said this week's arrests are not an isolated event.
"Anti-conversion laws in Nepal and a restrictive constitution have regularly subjected Christians and members of other religious minorities to arbitrary arrests, criminal charges, and violations of their fundamental rights," she warned.