UN: 100 days after coup no letup in Myanmar military’s brutality
Tuesday, May 11, marked 100 days since Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup on February 1, deposing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Nationwide protests continue.
By Robin Gomes
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has lamented that since the February 1 coup, there have been no signs of a letup in the brutal crackdown by Myanmar’s military authorities on its opponents in a bid to consolidate their hold on power.
Rupert Colville, the spokesperson of the UN’s human rights office briefed journalists on Tuesday on the situation in Myanmar, saying according to credible sources at least 782 people have been killed as of 10 May. Since the military coup on February 1, security forces have been continuing to use “unnecessary, disproportionate and lethal force, to suppress demonstrations and other forms of public participation”. “At the same time, ther
Indian Church extends hand to ease pandemic crisis
Cardinal Oswald Gracias explains how the Church s social arm and its healthcare sector are responding to the critical emergency of the nation under massive waves of Covid-19 cases and deaths.
By Robin Gomes
The Catholic Church of India has made available some 60,000 beds of its healthcare facilities in the country’s battle against the devastating second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. More than 50,000 nuns normally work at these facilities, a thousand of whom are qualified doctors, said Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI). “Faced with the catastrophe, India’s Catholic Church is doing its utmost to help all those suffering, irrespective of caste or creed,” he told AsiaNews.
Pope, UN urge global multilateral solutions for peace, prosperity
On the occasion of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, Pope Francis and the United Nations chief are stressing the importance of multilateral diplomacy for peace, prosperity and the common good of all, saying the pandemic has shown us how inter-connected the global community is today.
By Robin Gomes
Pope Francis took to Twitter on Saturday to once more underscore the importance of multilateral diplomacy and cooperation for solutions to the world’s problems.
“How do we prevent conflicts? No people, no social group can single-handedly achieve peace, prosperity, security and happiness. None, Pope Francis pointed out. “The lesson learned from the recent pandemic is the awareness that we are a global community, all in the same boat,” he said in a post on his Twitter handle, @Pontifex.
Philippine church bells kick off voter registration campaign
Filipinos are scheduled to go to the polls to choose a new president and vice-president on May 9, 2022.
By Robin Gomes
Bells of Catholic churches across the Philippines rang out simultaneously at midday on Sunday urging the faithful to exercise their right and duty to vote in the next presidential election to be held next year. The bells pealed for 3 minutes exactly a year before the country goes to the polls on May 9, 2022, to elect successors to President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo.
Making voices heard
According to the Philippine Constitution, Duterte is ineligible for re-election after his 6-year term. Church authorities are encouraging churchgoers, especially those who have not yet registered, to make their voices heard through their votes.
Caritas Europa appeals for full humanitarian access to Eastern Ukraine
A Caritas Europa delegation concludes a visit to eastern Ukraine on Saturday, and expresses concern that the 7-year standoff between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in the region could blow into a full-scale conflict.
By Robin Gomes
Caritas Europe has appealed for a “safe and unimpeded access to all people in need” in Eastern Ukraine, urging parties in the conflict to respect the rights and dignity of innocent civilians in the region.
The call came on Saturday as a delegation of Caritas Europa concluded a visit to the region that has been witnessing armed conflict for more than seven years now.