Nepal
Nepal
World Watch List Rank | 48 |
World Watch List Score | 63.60/100 |
Last year’s rank | 34 |
Persecution Type | Religious nationalism (Strong), Clan oppression (Strong) |
Leader | Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba |
Population | 30,578,000 |
Christians | 1,341,000 (4.4%) Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2021) |
Main Religion | Hinduism |
Government | Federal Parliamentary Republic |
Region | Asia |
Persecution Level | Very High Persecution |
Though Nepal is no longer an official Hindu state, most Christian persecution in Nepal comes from radical Hindu groups who want the country to return to Hinduism. Many of the Christians in Nepal are converts from Hinduism, and these converts experience significant pressure from their families and communities. If a family discovers a member is a Christian, the convert might be expelled from their family home or even violently attacked. Also limiting religious freedom are anti-conversion laws and the destruction and forced closure of churches. Churches, where foreigners gather, are treated with more tolerance, though members of some Protestant churches still experience significant pressure.
Christians who are members of indigenous groups also face persecution. Nepal has a rich diversity of tribes and clans where ethnic cultures, traditions and rituals are seen as very important. Once people convert to Christianity, they stop taking part in many of these traditions and are considered outcasts by the community. They might also be subjected to violent forms of persecution.
What changed this year?
Nepal continues to be a place filled with persecution for followers of Christ. Nepal’s fall in rank belies its persecution score, which stayed nearly as high as last year. Despite a decrease in violence, pressure in almost every sphere of life went up, showing that daily life remains difficult for Christians, especially converts from Hinduism. Despite some good news—the government allowed some Christian charities to help with COVID-19 relief—the situation remains difficult for Nepal’s believers.
How we help
Open Doors works through partners in Nepal to support Christians with Bibles and discipleship materials, biblical training, socio-economic aid and advocacy.
PRAY FOR NEPAL
Pray these Christians will know the reality of their global family in Christ and will sense Christians around the world praying with them.
Pray for Nepal’s government. Political instability makes life for Christians uncertain, and recent anti-conversion laws have made following Jesus even more difficult.
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