United Nations Special Rapporteurs for Freedom of Religion or Belief have expressed “serious concerns” to the government of India over its controversial anti-conversion laws.

In the letter, the Rapporteurs for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, and for Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, say that the laws continue to be used as “a tool of persecution by those who are genuinely opposed to religious tolerance... by creating further polarisation and generating an atmosphere of fear among religious minorities.”

India’s Freedom of Religion Acts or “antiforced-conversion” laws are state-level statutes that have been enacted to regulate religious conversions. They are currently operational in 11 of India’s 28 states, with pressure from nationalists to roll the laws out nationwide.

The laws are ostensibly drafted to prevent attempts to convert people away from Hinduism to another religion through ‘misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by fraudulent means’. However, in their communication, the Rapporteurs warn that laws have reportedly affected the ability of members of minority religions to practice their faith in safety.

The letter states: “Several reports of prayer meetings, religious services being interrupted by angry mobs accusing the worshippers to be involved in forced religious conversions have been recorded. These cases contribute to creating an atmosphere of fear for religious minorities and climate of impunity for vigilantes who feel entitled to disrupt peaceful religious services, intimidate and use violence without repercussions.”

Lisa Gentile, Senior Advocacy Officer for Open Doors International, a charity that supports and advocates for persecuted Christians, said: “This intervention is to be welcomed. These laws are completely unnecessary. They are being used by Hindu nationalist supporters to settle personal scores and promote their own agenda. And to roll them out any further would cause further fear and misery.” (Open Doors)