UN's intervention in Sri Lanka's anti-conversion bill influenced by Evangelicals

Posted May 6, 2005
Thursday, May 5 , 2005
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Evangelicals are over joyed by UN willing to intervene in influencing Sri Lanka's anti-conversion bill proposed by the Buddhist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party and the Minister of Buddhist Affairs. The Island nation recently received much of international attention due to Tsunami. Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus feel that Evangelicals are causing havoc more destructive than Tsunami caused by Earthquake.

UN special envoy Asma Jahangir (Pakistan) representing United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) is visiting Sri Lanka to analyse of freedom of religion in Sri Lanka and will submit a report to the UNCHR. She arrived in Sri Lanka on 3rd May.

United Nation's 'Covenant on Civil and Political rights' (CCPR) describes 'Freedom of Religion' as 'freedom to pray and practice' but Evangelical interpretation has often been 'Freedom to Convert'. Evangelicals, supported by churches and mission agencies in America are putting their best efforts to make it a Human rights violation.

Observers feel that Sri Lanka under influence from America and western Human Rights groups may finally tone down and pass a toothless bill to keep both sides happy.