Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) - "The main challenge for the new Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is to unite and pacify the country. We have good hopes for the plight of religious minorities (and Christians), and regarding religious freedom: Bhattarai, before the election, said explicitly that he agrees with our positions and will work towards the full respect for human rights and for our prerogatives ": This is what the Nepalese priest Fr. Silas Bogati says in an interview with Fides, following the election of the new Prime Minister, expressing the position of the Nepali Church.
Fr. Bogati, former National Director of Caritas, worked in the editorial group that submitted to the members of the Constituent Assembly, committed to writing a new Constitution Charter, a document that points out the rights and freedoms of religious minorities, the right of the individual consciousness to "change one’s belief", hoping for the construction of a secular and democratic Nepal, respectful of the rights and freedoms for all without discrimination. In recent days, the Church, other religious communities and other NGOs raised, in particular, the issue contained in art. 160 in the new Penal Code (which will be approved along with the new Constitution) concerning the "prohibition of conversion from one religion to another" (see Fides 24/8/2011).
Today Fr. Bogati says he is "confident that the new Premier can positively guide the discussion on these issues in the next three months", after an extension granted until November 30 to allow the work of the Constituent Assembly. "Bhattarai - says the priest - is a person who has progressive ideas and has assured that he will complete the peace process within six months. The population has high expectations. One of the main commitments will be the final draft of the new Constitution, which can give a real turning point to the country, by making it a truly secular and democratic nation" . "So far - he adds - this promise has not been kept and if they failed to do so, religious minorities would be in a condition of general insecurity". Bhattarai, who belongs to the Maoist party, won 340 votes out of 601 in the Nepalese Parliament. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/08/2011)
