Executive Summary

At this significant time in the history of Nepal, with the development of a new constitution, when the status of religious freedom is being debated, it is important to be keenly aware of the developing trends in the relationship between different religions, and in the status of religious freedom across south Asia. Religiously-motivated violence carried out by extremist Hindu nationalist groups in neighbouring India has affected Muslims and Christians, most recently in the large-scale outbreak of communal violence in Orissa state. Within the past two years, such violence has been at evidence in Nepal, where it is a relatively new phenomenon. Specific acts of religiously-motivated violence have clarified the threat: in particular, the violent activities of the Nepal Defence Army (NDA) and Ranbir Sena must be taken seriously. This religiously-motivated violence must be tackled if it is not to become a growing threat to Nepal's future peace and the safety of religious minority groups. It is vital that freedom of religion is guaranteed strongly in the new constitution of Nepal, and it is equally important that those responsible for religiously-motivated killings and violence be brought to justice.

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