12 August 2003
Pax Romana would like to draw the attention of the Sub-Commission on the situation of religious minorities in many countries particularly in the South Asia countries -- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. These states fall under the concept of "One State-One Religion." This dangerous concept causes polarization among the communities of majority and minority and results in minorities living in fear. In India, the trend of "terrorizing" minorities has become alarming especially after the brutal attack and killing of thousands of innocent minorities in Gujarat. Justice has not been accorded to victims of the Gujarat carnage who continue to live in fear. Instead of prosecuting the perpetrator of the crime, the State protects them contrary to Art.2 of CERD to which it is a party. Furthermore, it has allowed these perpetrators to use state resources such as school premises for hate campaigns against minorities, and give full police protection to the leaders of these organizations.
The State has legitimized the action of these "non-state" actors by the enactment of the Anti-Conversion Bill in the State of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. This violates Article 25(1) of the Indian Constitution which guarantees citizens the right "to freely profess, practice and propagate religion," and conflicts with basic fundamental rights established by the Art.18 of the UDHR, the Declaration on Minorities, and other treaties.