India: condemnation for “worst anti-conversion law yet”
Human rights organisation CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide) has condemned the implementation of the anti-conversion law passed in Gujarat state.
Under the newly published rules, which allow the 2003 law to be implemented, any convert to another religion could face a year’s imprisonment if they fail to explain to the District Magistrate how long they had followed their previous religion, and the reason for their conversion.
CSW’s Advocacy Director, Alexa Papadouris, said: “This law is extremely intrusive and entirely at odds with India’s avowed respect for human rights, including the right to freedom of religion. It allows for substantial interference into the private process of an individual’s conversion by a state government known for its extremist Hindu nationalist credentials.
“The requirement to explain the reasons for conversion to potential hostile officials is a significant block to religious freedom, and the authority given to District Magistrates to deny permission for a conversion ‘ceremony’ is completely unacceptable.
“It is also a nonsense to demand the ‘time and date’ of a person’s conversion, which is a matter of their private conscience. We call upon the government of Gujarat to immediately repeal this law, and we call upon the international community to condemn what is India’s worst anti-conversion law yet.”
