Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) - The Constituent Assembly of Nepal failed to agree and approve a draft of the new constitution and the deadline was January 22: This step opens a future of uncertainty and instability and generates fears among religious minorities that the constitutional negotiations, which include provisions on the guarantee of secularism and religious freedom, may collapse altogether.
The Assembly was working to give the country a new constitution that legally defines the "Republic of Nepal", as provided for in the peace agreement that put an end to a decade of conflict. Before 2006, Nepal was officially a "Hindu Kingdom".
As Fides learns, during a recent meeting, the leaders of the main religions in Nepal, expressed concern that the various demonstrations of opposition parties, announced in the coming weeks, will generate a period of instability, protests and social violence as that of 22 January, when police repressed the protesters by force.
Last January, the United Nations urged the Nepalese political parties to redouble their efforts to ensure an "inclusive Constitution", in the interest of the country, and to "continue the constitutional negotiations in a spirit of flexibility"
In a note sent to Fides, the Christian NGO "Catholic Solidarity Worldwide" asks "that the new constitution of Nepal is inclusive and protects the rights of all faiths, especially of religious minorities". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/02/2015)
