British ambassador sparks off religious conversion row in Nepal

As if the heat generated by the religious conversion debate in India was not enough, Nepal has also been dragged into the debate, that too by none other than the British Ambassador in Nepal himself.

Andy Sparkes, the British ambassador to Nepal wrote an open letter to the ‘sabhasad-jyus’ i.e. the members of constitution committee of Nepal in which he advocated ‘ freedom to choose religion’ as constitutional right. Published on the occasion of international human rights day, the language of the letter reminds of the British Empire era. “The UK is Nepal’s oldest bilateral partner, largest bilateral donor”, reminds Andy Sparkes in the letter saying “perhaps you will permit us to highlight a few issues for you to consider.”
And what is the highlight? Sparke says
“We encourage you to ensure that the right to change religion is protected, and that the right to hold opinions and to express them freely will remain strong. And once the Constitution is agreed we hope that you will use your voice also to ensure that the proposed Penal and Civil Codes are fully consistent with the fundamental rights asserted there. A Constitution for a vibrant modern democracy should not just provide a list of rights. It should also seek to ensure that any restrictions on those rights are appropriate, and that when those rights are violated, people have access to effective remedy.”

It was natural that such a rabid interference in the internal matters of Nepal was denounced by all parties in Nepal. It should be noted that currently religious conversions is a matter of intense debate in Nepal. Some Nepali Congress leaders raised the statement in Parliament on Sunday. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala instructed Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey to seek clarification from the ambassador. Several organizations submitted a memorandum to the embassy on Monday, asking the British government to recall the ambassador.
The Government statement on this issue says
Press Release on the Ministry's concern over an article by H.E. the British Ambassador.
December 15, 2014
Press Release
Mr. Shanker Bairagi, Acting Foreign Secretary, summoned Mr. Guy Harrison, Charge d'Affaires, a.i. at the British Embassy in Kathmandu, to convey the concern of the Government of Nepal to the Embassy over an article by His Excellency Andrew James Sparkes CMG, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Nepal entitled 'Letter to sabhasad-jyus' published in an English daily on 10 December 2014.
Mr. Bairagi drew the attention of the Embassy to the sensitiveness of the matter in the current context of constitution making process and cautioned that such uncalled-for remarks might have negative impact on harmony and tolerance prevailing in the Nepalese society. He also advised the Embassy to refrain from making such remarks in future.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kathmandu, Nepal, 15 December 2015
It seems that after such a strong reaction, the British embassy had to make hasty retreat and white washing. After the write-up got into a controversy, Ambassador Sparkes reportedly went on a two-week leave. The clarification issued by the embassy says
“The Embassy has enormous respect for the beliefs and cultures of Nepal’s many and diverse peoples. The Embassy regrets any misunderstanding that the comment may inadvertently have caused.”
But perhaps the heading carried by the Nepal church was clearer. “Right to change religion must be protected in the new constitution.”!