Francis Khoo Thwe

Floods so far have killed 69 people, displacing another 260,000, but the final figure is expected to get much worse. The situation is critical in Rakhine state, already torn by sectarian violence. For Card Bo, aid is needed right away because of the massive devastation. The Church is playing a leading role in terms of aid and volunteers.

Hundreds of ordinary citizens joined students in protests. Riot police intervened giving rise to clashes. Protesters want military out of Parliament and amendments to the Constitution. Catholic activist alongside Aung San Suu Kyi for a real democratic change in Myanmar.

With their veto power intact, the military still keep the main opposition leader out of the run for the presidency. Only 388 lawmakers out of 664 voted in favour of changing the constitution, far short of the 75 per cent threshold. For Catholic activist, reforms have stalled – an outcome that does not surprise the director of the Democratic Voice of Burma.

CSW East Asia team leader Benedict Rogers has recently carried out a mission in the country, where many issues remain unresolved, from the Myanmar government’s responsibility in the Rohingya crisis to the violence by Buddhist extremists. Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to China marks her transition from human rights icon to political leader. Myanmar’s Catholic Church contributes to peace and reconciliation.

From 10 to 14 June, the Burmese opposition leader is on official visit to China at the invitation of the Communist Party. Yesterday the meeting with President Xi Jinping. DVB Director: "Beijing sends an important signal to Naypyidaw: ready to talk not only with the military, but also with the opposition." And the Lady is increasing revealing herself as a “political" leader, as well as the rights icon.

Khon Ja Labang spoke to AsiaNews about the situation four years after fighting broke out again in Kachin State. The military is looking constantly for pretexts to attack. Refugees have to survive on less than 40 cents a day. Only 16 per cent of their humanitarian needs are met. Meanwhile, she is raising funds in Yangon for displaced people.

Activist maintains there are "invisible hands" complicating the plight of modern-day boat-people. Naypyidaw is only interested in maintaining power and exploiting the nationalist element ahead of elections. The international community exerts undue pressure and pursues its own interests. The real challenge is "to stop human trafficking."

According to an activist group, 157 political prisoners are in Burmese prisons with 453 activists awaiting trial. The authorities continue to violate the rights of the country’s citizens, silencing critics and persecuting the opposition. Yesterday, 70 students went on trial for protesting against school reform. They could get up to nine and a half years in prison.

Bosco Sawthuya, president of the Catholic Youth Commission, spoke to AsiaNews about the value of the Catholic presence in the country, a source of harmony, unity and solidarity among different ethnic groups. For him, the goal is to contribute to the process of transition currently underway. The seventh National Youth Congress was held from 21 to 26 April, ending in a Mass led by Cardinal Bo.

During the closing Mass of the Couples For Christ meeting, the archbishop of Yangon called on the more than 300 participants to follow the teachings of Pope Francis, reminding them of Jesus’ perspective on family life. The prelate also noted that the family is the first place for mission.

The fighting took place in north-eastern Myanmar, along the border with China. The military told displaced people to return home. But people are afraid of retaliation and more violence. So far, it is unclear how many people have died or are wounded. Aid workers have been denied access to the area where fighting is taking place.

The archbishop of Yangon spoke at a conference in Bangkok that drew 43 delegates from 14 nations. Race, religion and politics are among the "many challenges" the continent faces. Calling for mutual respect and unity in diversity to end decades of conflict, he stressed the importance of education and religious freedom as the foundations of coexistence.