Myanmar’s independence from British rule, formalized in 1948, kickstarted decades of change still being felt at every level of society. Progress has come in fits and starts, but before.
Myanmar: military raids on places of worship deplored
In the Myanmar military’s crackdown against opponents of its Feb. 1 coup, places of worship of all religious affiliations are being targeted with raids by security forces in search of protesters, alleged illegal activities or insurgents.
By Robin Gomes
At least four Catholic churches in villages in Myanmar s Pathein Diocese in Irrawaddy division were raided on April 8 by police and soldiers in search of alleged illegal activities or anti-coup activists. Armed security forces searched inside a Catholic church and checked around the cemetery, according to church sources. The latest targeting of Catholic churches follows military raids on other churches in Kachin state, a Christian stronghold, over the Easter weekend.
Christians decry Myanmar military s search of churches
Security forces target churches allegedly looking for anti-coup activists UCA News reporter Updated: April 12, 2021 06:20 AM GMT
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Myanmar’s military has conducted a search of Catholic and other Christian churches in the Buddhist-majority country.
At least four Catholic churches in villages in Pathein Diocese in Irrawaddy division were searched by police and soldiers looking for alleged illegal activities or anti-coup activists on April 8 evening.
Security personnel holding guns searched inside one Catholic church and checked around the cemetery, according to church sources.
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Thai protesters call for justice for murdered Karen activist
Porlajee Billy Rakchongcharoen was killed in 2014 allegedly by park officials after leading a campaign against them
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An art installation featuring a man made of plaster buried upside down in a steel drum on display at a protest in Bangkok on Feb. 22 in testament to the way Christian ethnic minority activist Porlajee Rakchongcharoen’s body was disposed of by his murderers in 2014. (Photo: UCA News)
Hundreds of young Thais gathered on Feb. 22 outside a cultural center in downtown Bangkok to demand greater rights for their country’s ethnic minorities in memory of a Christian minority rights activist who was murdered in 2014.
On the march for peace in Myanmar
Thousands of Karen villagers demand an end to fighting and withdrawal of the military
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More than 1,000 Karen villagers take to the streets of Hpapun district on Jan. 6 to call for an end to hostilities and the withdrawal of the military. (Photo: Salween Peace Park)
On the morning of Jan. 6, thousands of villagers marched through the streets of Hpapun (Mutraw) district in Karen state of southeastern Myanmar to demand the withdrawal of the military and an end to recent hostilities.
More than 1,000 people from 30 villages gathered at two locations to protest against the occupation of the army and violation of human rights, according to the Karen Women’s Organization (KWO).