Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 16 January 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 19 January 2018 (named day). It was answered by Mark Field (Conservative) on Friday, 19 January 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Nepal: Christianity

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Nepalese Government on recent levels of persecution of Christians and moves to close Christian orphanages.

Answer: We raise the importance of ensuring freedom of religion or belief with the Nepali government on a regular basis. I raised these issues most recently with Nepali Ambassador on 9 October 2017 and when I wrote to Prime Minister Deuba on 2 November 2017. Our Embassy in Kathmandu monitors the human rights situation closely and has consistently encouraged the Government of Nepal and members of Nepal's parliament to ensure Nepal meets its international human rights obligations, including freedom of religion or belief, and we will continue to do so.

Secondary information