09/09/2010CHINA Chen Guangcheng, blind activist, free after more than four years in prison He denounced violence related to the one child law, with forced abortions and sterilizations in Shandong. In prison he was sick but denied treatment. In recent years, his wife has been under house arrest and isolation, telephone controlled and internet disconnected. Beijing (AsiaNews / CHRD) - The well-known human rights activist, blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng, was released today from prison in Linyi (Shandong) after serving a sentence of four years and three months. Chen was convicted of "intentionally damaging property and gathering crowds to disturb transport order ". In reality, he had reported forced abortions and sterilizations in campaigns for...
09/09/2010SRI LANKA Parliament gives the president new powers The president now will be able to run for office as often he likes. The constitutional change was approved yesterday despite protests of thousands of people. “This legislation is the last nail in the coffin of democracy,” Sarath Fonseka said.
09/09/2010INDIA Indian bishop: The World Assembly of families and the ambiguities of globalization by Mons. Agnelo Gracias The Christian family, facing the challenges of materialism and hedonism, needs to reaffirm a coexistence based on love and mutual respect, as children of the Father. The Bishop of Mumbai talks to AsiaNews about the role of the family in today’s world.
09/09/2010VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh City: Catholic and Buddhist facilities for young AIDS patients by J.B. Vu Facilities host about 2,500 ranging in age from zero to 16, most living with HIV/AIDS. Nuns and volunteers work in “silence” to ease the pain. Discrimination and rejection are the main problems. The Mai Tam diocesan shelter provides an example.
09/09/2010INDONESIA Millions of Indonesians on the move for the feast of Idul Fitri The long holiday ends Ramadan. Traditionally Muslims return to their hometown to celebrate. Mile long traffic jams around large cities, long trips that last hours. Christians organize free refreshment centres.
09/09/2010NORTH KOREA Pyongyang focuses on booming video game industry The Korean regime aims to develop video games for mobile phones, which do not fall under the sanctions decided by the U.S. government and generate money. But experts warn of a "high risk of espionage."
09/08/2010SRI LANKA Christian priests and laity in silent protest against Rajapaksa’s power by Melani Manel Perera Parliament begins debate on constitutional reforms that would increase presidential powers and allow the president to be re-elected for more than two mandates. Religious leaders, rights activists and opposition parties fear changes might spell the end to Sri Lankan democracy.
09/08/2010PAKISTAN Christian woman, mother of two, abducted and forced into slavery because of debt by Jibran Khan Her labourer husband took out a loan to have his sick father undergo medical treatment. Muslim landlord who owns the debt now wants repayment; to achieve his goal, he threatened and insulted the family, calling them “lowlife” who “will always be our slave” because “We Muslims are superior to any other religion.” Initially, police refused to intervene and file a complaint about the abduction.
09/08/2010INDIA The birth of Mary and the suffering of millions of women in India by Santosh Digal The Indian Church celebrates the Day of the Girl Child today to condemn discrimination against women in Indian society. Only 67.7% of girls between 15 and 24 years receive education and about 40% of married women suffer violence within the family walls. India holds last place for the growth rate of the female population because of widespread feticides, abortion and prenatal selection.
09/08/2010PAKISTAN Pakistani cricket hit by more scandals as players accumulate properties After accusing three Pakistani players, Britain’s News of the World publishes a new interview with a player who claims that “almost every match” is fixed. Ordinary Pakistanis now wonder about their players’ excess earnings.
09/08/2010IRAN No place for democracy and human rights in Islam, says Qom theologian Imam Mesbah Yazdi, great supporter of Ahmadinejad, makes the claim. For him, sexual and moral deviants like Sakineh should be punished and suppressed. Obeying Ahmadinejad is like obeying God. Pro-reform students are beaten, pro-reform professors are fired, all for being against Iran’s rulers. Journalists are accused of being “mohareb”, enemies of God.
Books
Missione Bengala 155 anni del Pime in India e Bangladesh EMI
di Piero Gheddo
La Cina di Mao processa la Chiesa di Angelo S.Lazzarotto pp. 528
Il rovescio delle medaglie di Bernardo Cervellera pp. 240