Country Demographics:

• Population:  27 million
• Religions:  Hindu 86.2%, Buddhist 7.8%, Islam 3.8%, Other 2.2%
• Income Per Capita:  $220.26 year/ $0.61 day
• Government Type:  Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
  Chief of State:  King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (since June 2001)
  Head of Government:  Prime Minister Surya Bahadur THAPA (since June 2003)

Legal Profession:

• Estimated number of lawyers in Nepal is 23,156
• Estimated number of believers involved in the legal profession is 20-30
• The name of the local Christian group is Trinity Legal Corporation (TLC).  Although active since 1998, it was formally organized in 2003. Mr.Bharat Tamang is the head of the local eight-lawyer Christian network. 

Major Activities of Christian Lawyers:

TLC’s lawyers are involved in the following activities:

• Evangelical ministries
• Defending religious freedoms and human rights
• Participating in property and criminal cases
• Organizing seminars and workshops

Convocation Goals:

• The Advocates International Global Convocation will give TLC lawyers time for mutual encouragement and testimony sharing. Furthermore, the Christian lawyers from Nepal are hoping the Convocation will energize and encourage them to continue defending human rights in Nepal.

Prayer Items:

• TLC’s lawyers need God’s wisdom during the process of appealing a court sinister order preventing the registration of the Nepalese Bible Society
• God’s continued help in influencing Christian lawyers to maintain regular contact with the Christian church
• Funds for defending human rights and organizing informative seminars on relevant topics
• God’s help in bettering the political, economic, and spiritual conditions in Nepal
• A discontinuation of the theft of documentation submitted to the courts (documents pertaining to human rights and religious freedom violations)

Contact Information:

• Bharat Bahadu Tamang tamang_bharat@hotmail.com

ªNepal In Actionª

The Nepal constitution provides for freedom of religion and permits the practice of all religions in this “Hindu Kingdom,” but laws prohibit converting others and proselytizing.   Some have suffered prosecution and imprisonment, and deportation for foreigners, for violations.  There are sometimes incidents of ostracism, hostility, discrimination, and even violence against Christians or Muslims.  Often churches in Nepal do not officially register because of this climate, and thereby they have greater legal exposure.  Christian lawyers have formed a group, and there is some litigation which, it is hoped, will improve the situation.