ICC | Apr. 24, 2019
Religious Freedom for Minorities Continues to Deteriorate in Nepal
04/24/2019 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that five Christians, including an American citizen and an Indian citizen, were arrested by authorities in Nepal and charged with attempted proselytization. The arrests come as religious freedom in Nepal continues to deteriorate under the country’s controversial anti-conversion law that was enacted in August 2018.
According to local reports, the five Christians were arrested on April 23 in Nepal’s Dang District. Among those arrested were Pastor Dilli Ram Paudel, General Secretary of the Nepal Christian Society; Gaurav Srivastava, an Indian citizen; and Leanna Ciquanda, an American citizen.
The Christians were reportedly arrested by police after they visited local villages in the Dang District. Police seized the Christians’ Bibles, computers, and other items before transporting them to the local police station and accusing them of attempted proselytization.
According to local media reports, Ciquanda’s visa to Nepal has been cancelled. She may be deported and banned from returning to Nepal. Criminal charges have been filed against the other Christians who will likely face local courts.