After decade long conflict and people’s movement-2, Nepalese people got an opportunity to elect the constituent Assembly members to draft the new constitution of Nepal. It is the first time in the history of Nepal that people are Participating in the constitution making process. NCCN, as the representative body of Christians in Nepal, made significant contribution in the conflict resolution and peace process of Nepal.
To ensure equality, inclusiveness, guarantee of justice and full religious freedom in the New constitution of Nepal, NCCN launched a programme under the theme “Role of Religious Communities in the constitution making process and Guarantee of Full Religious Freedom in New Constitution” with a view to provide recommendations to the Constituent Assembly which is in the process of drafting the new constitution. Activities under this program were carried out with the financial support of Finish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM) for which we are grateful to them.
NCCN organized Consultations in different parts of the country under this theme. Outside Kathmandu valley, such consultations were organized in Gorkha, Pokhara, Chitwan, Bhairahawa, Tanahu/Lamjung, and Dhangadi. Finally a national level consultation was organized in Kathmandu with representation from all the above places to give final shape to the recommendations from the regional consultations before submitting to the Constituent Assembly.
Gorkha, 1-2 November, 2008
More than 200 Pastors and Church Leaders from Gorkha and some representatives from neighboring districts participated in the programme.
Participants discussed on the topics like biblical perspectives on peace and justice, religious and communal harmony at local level, new constitution and full religious freedom etc.
After long discussion, the participants came up with some recommendations for the religious freedom in Nepal which are as written below,
1) As country is heading towards the formulation of new constitution, we as the minority religious community of Nepal would like to draw the attention of the political parties, Nepal government, Human rights organizations, civil society and media to take the concerns of minority and under privileged groups more seriously so that the country will come out from the trend of discrimination in the future.
2) While restructuring the nation, more attention should be given to make the new system more accommodative and inclusive to avoid the possibility of conflict and violence in the future.
3) To promote religious and communal harmony in the pluralistic society like ours, inter-religious activities, which has been initiated with the leadership of NCCN should be given continuity.
4) The new constitution that is going to be made in near future should make guaranty of full religious freedom and constitution should make some provision so that government will treat all the religious community equally without giving any space to the religious biasness.
5) The conference urged all the Christians in Nepal to be actively involved in the process of social transformation.
There was significant participation of women and youth in the conference. The women leaders expressed their heartfelt thanks to NCCN for making involvement of women in its all programmes and activities.
Pokhara, 8-9 November, 2008
The program in Pokhara was organized from 8 to 9 November 2008 which was participated by about 200 church leaders from western region of Nepal. This programme was coordinated by Western Region Christian Council (WRCC) at local level.
Mr.Ram Chandra Acharya, the Public Relations and Programme Expansion officer of NCCN and Mr. Phanindra Bhusal, Administrative officer facilitated in the programme.
The participants discussed on the topics related to freedom of religion in the new constitution. Important recommendations were made by the participants.
Chitwan, 14-15 November, 2008
NCCN and Central Region Christian Council jointly organized the Pastors and Church leaders consultations in Chitwan from 14 to 15 November 2008. More than 200 Church Leaders and representatives of different religious communties, civil society and local government bodies were present in the programme.
Ps. Simon Gurung, the president of NCCN inaugurated the programme as Chief Guest. He highlighted on the role being played by the NCCN in the peace process of Nepal and its campaign for full religious freedom in Nepal.
Ram Chandra Acharya the Public relations and program expansion officer also spoke about the issue of new constitution and the role of Christians and religious communities. Participants in the program discussed on the importance of religious freedom in the new constitution.
Bhairahawa, 15-16 November,2008
As planned, NCCN organized this , programme in Bhairahawa with the support and cooperation of local churches. It was coordinated by Ps. Rudra Bahadur Kuwar at the local level. About 220 Pastors, Church Leaders from lumbini zone participated in the programme.
There was also the presence of Local leaders of political parties, civil society members and representatives of different religious communities.
Mr. Enosh Rokaya, the programme coordinator of NCCN shared about the objectives and importance of this programme. He also briefed on the activities being carried out by NCCN and achievements made so far. He said that, as the country is heading towards the formulation of new constitution, we should actively participate in this process to make the new constitution more inclusive and to ensure the full religious freedom in the new constitution of Nepal. He said that we may not get such opportunity again.
The participants actively participated in the discussion. They said that this programme is more relevant in the present context of Nepal. They were very much thankful to the NCCN for carrying out such programme at the right time. It is very important that the voice of Christians be heard in the constitution Assembly. It will play great role to ensure the full religious freedom in the new constitution of Nepal.
17-18 December 2008, Dadhikot, Tanahu.
NCCN organized this programme in Shree Akala Secondary High School, Dhuwankot , a meeting points of three districts Lamjung, Tanahu and Gorkha with support of local Churches in this region. More than 200 Pastors and Church leaders from three districts and representatives from surrounding area participated in the programme. There was also the participation from civil society, political party leaders, teachers and students from this region.
Addressing the programme, NCCN General Secretary, Dr. K.B. Rokaya briefed on the objectives and importance of this programme and asked the participants to be actively participate in the NCCN’s campaign to ensure full religious freedom in the new constitution of Nepal. He also briefed on the NCCN’s role in the peace process of Nepal and present political situation of Nepal and our role as the citizen of this country.
In the inauguration session, local leaders of the political parties, Civil society members and the headmaster of the School, where the programme was organized, also spoke and expressed thanks to NCCN and Christian Community of Nepal for organizing such consultations and raising the crucial issues of people and minority groups. All of them made evaluation of NCCN activates for the social transformation in the present context of Nepal.
During the Consultation, participants were divided into five groups and issues of discussion was provided to them. They discussed on the problems being faced by the Christian Community of Nepal and role of the Christian community in the process of making new constitution of Nepal. After extensive discussions, all groups made some recommendations which was collected for the final discussion during the national level consultation in Kathmandu which is being organized from 13-15 January.
The outcome from this National level consultation will be submitted to the Constitution Assembly as the Demand of Christian Community of Nepal to ensure full religious freedom and other fundamental rights of people in the new constitution of Nepal.
Dhangadi, 3-4 January, 2009
NCCN Organized a Far-Western regional level Conference of Pastors and Church leaders on "Religious freedom in new constitution of Nepal" in Dhangadi from 3-4 January 2009. The program was coordinated by Far-Western regional Christian Council (FWRCC) at local level. Around 180 pastors and Church Leaders and about 30 representatives from other religious communities participated . Local political party representatives were also present in the conference.
Some of the Participants came from very remote areas of Nepal and there was participation from six Districts of far western region.
The Conference discussed on the issues like religions provision in present Constitution, which still considers religious conversion an illegal practice, and the need to ensure full religious freedom in the new constitution..
Mr. R.C. Acharya and Phanindra Bhusal represented NCCN office.
Participants and local people were very much thankful to NCCN for organizing such a very important program at the right time.
National level consultation in the capital, 13-14 January, 2009
After organizing consultations at the regional level in various parts of the country, a national level consultation was organized in the capital on 14 January 2009 to discuss and finalize the recommendations received from the regional level consultations before submitting them to the Constituent Assembly and other concerned authorities. Participants from outside had arrived on 13 had preliminary discussion on the issue of religious freedom in the new constitution and recommendations to be submitted by NCCN.
More than 220 Representatives from all the places where regional level consultations were held and ,pastors and leaders from the valley participated in the consultation.
Minister for Culture and State Restructuring Mr. Gopal Kiranti was the Chief Guest during the inaugural session. Representatives from various religious groups, civil society organizations and the media were also present during the inaugural session.
A concept paper on ' Guarantee of Religious Freedom in the New Constitution' was presented during the inaugural session on behalf of NCCN. The following recommendations regarding full religious freedom in the new constitution were presented in the concept paper.
· In the current context of writing the constitution by elected representatives of the people for the first time in the history of Nepal through the struggle and sacrifice of the Nepali people, the new constitution must guarantee full religious freedom to every citizen including the freedom to change one's religion.
· The state must respect and treat all religions equally.
· There should be no representation in any state mechanism and machinery on the basis of religion. Religion should be treated as purely individual and personal matter of a citizen. The state should not be involved directly or indirectly in the promotion and preservation of a particular religion or faith.
· State treasury and public property should not be allowed to be used for the promotion and preservation of a particular religion or faith.
· Religious institutions should be maintained and run by the concerned religious community and the state should not interfere in the religious and cultural affairs of the people.
· A powerful Religious Commission should be constituted to coordinate among the various religious groups for religious harmony and understanding, to protect the rights of all religious groups and to discourage and control illegal, anti-social and unethical activities that may be carried out in the name of religion.
Representatives from various religious groups who spoke on the occasion expressed full their solidarity towards the demands put forth by NCCN. Chief Guest of the inaugural session Minister for Culture and State Restructuring Mr. Gopal Kiranti said that the demands put forth by NCCN for religious freedom were genuine and should be incorporated in the new constitution. He assured that he would convey the message to the constituent assembly and other concerned authorities to ensure their inclusion in the constitution.
During the group discussion in the afternoon session, participants made very important and significant recommendations that will be incorporated while finalizing the recommendations to be submitted by NCCN to the Constituent Assembly on behalf of Christian community in Nepal.
