Anti-conversion bill to be voted in Parliament in 2009

A bill titled ‘Prohibition of forcible conversion of religion’ is to be taken up for debate and voting in the Sri Lankan Parliament.   
                                           
This legislation was initially proposed in 2004 as a Private Member’s bill by the Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thero M.P. of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party. It was challenged before the Supreme Court by 22 petitioners including the NCESAL, Denominations, churches and other Christian and civil rights organizations. It was held to be valid, except for 2 clauses which were deemed un-Constitutional.

After the 2nd Reading in 2005, the bill was referred to a Standing Committee of Parliament. The NCEASL and others made representations to the Committee raising objections to the draft bill.

The present draft has been amended in keeping with the recommendations of the Supreme Court determination. It can now be passed by a simple majority vote in Parliament.

The Protestant Christian community in Sri Lanka number less than 1% of Sri Lanka’s population and have subjected to violent attacks, murder of clergymen, harassment and intimidation during the past years.

If enacted, this legislation will diminish the guarantees and freedoms enshrined in Article 10 and 14(1) (e) of the Sri Lankan Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ICCPR.