This assurance comes amid fears that the government would confirm a 2011 proposal to recriminalize same-sex relationships.

Narahari Acharya, the country's minister for law, justice, parliamentary affairs and constituent assembly, said "[The bill] shall be our effort to grant equal status to homosexual and heterosexual relationships. The Muluki Ain is 160 years old and the last serious amendment to it was [made] 50 years ago. Efforts are under way to revise it and give it a new progressive face." Read More