South Asia

Protests in Mangalore and Udupi against the central government. It aims to give 4.5% of jobs to Muslims and Other Backward Classes (CBOs) and extend to Dalit Christians and Muslims the rights of Scheduled Castes (SC). According to current laws, only the Dalit Hindus and Buddhists enjoy benefits according to their status.

The archbishop of Karachi celebrated a memorial Mass a year since the assassination of the Catholic minister. Thousands of people took place in a memorial service at his tomb, including Muslims, Hindus and members of other minorities. Great emotion and drive help Paul Bhatti continue Shahbaz's mission.

For the past seven months, civil rights group Right to Life has organised a protest to demand an investigation into the clashes that occurred on 30 May 2012 in Katunayake Free Trade Zone. Roshen Chanaka, 21, was killed at the time and eight more young workers were injured. Two are now paralysed. So far, police has failed to investigate the matter.

This was established by the magistrate of Kollam. The Italian authorities have appealed for police experts to be allowed conduct ballistic tests. No hostility toward the two marines: "We must also investigate who gave them orders to shoot."

For religious and civil society leaders, the late Catholic minister is an example to follow in interfaith dialogue. For the bishop of Islamabad, he was "a brave and faithful man". A human rights activist says that his death leaves a leadership vacuum. His "sacrifice will not be in vain," Muslim scholar states.

The two NGOs involved, the Tuticorin Diocesan Association and the Tuticorin Multipurpose Social Service Society, are headed by Bishop Yvon Ambroise. The government froze their bank accounts, accusing them of using foreign funds to support demonstrations against the construction of the Kudankulam nuclear plant.

Archbishop Emeritus of Lahore gives a personal reflection on the Catholic minister for minorities. The prelate emphasizes his "natural charisma" and his being different from the "corrupt politicians". His commitment was based "on the example of Christ" and he dedicated his life "to the redemption of the oppressed communities."

At the center of the controversy the president Prachanda and senior party officials, who recently ordered the eviction of squatters from 15 thousand huts along the rivers, for "environmental" reasons. Maoist leaders charge: "we were cheated." Criticism even from the communist youth movement.

Israel's Tourism Ministry and the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land organised the trip. The ecumenical delegation includes Card Oswald Gracias and newly appointed Card Mar George Alencherry, major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar Church. The Indian community in the Holy Land numbers 5,000, 3,000 of them, Catholic.

Bishops urge the government to translate all of its documents in both Tamil and Sinhalese, draw up the list of people who went missing during the civil war and dismantle all illegal armed groups. The government focuses instead on big economic projects and disregards the country's real problems, like its 200,000 internally displaced people and its 39,000 war widows, who live without aid or work. The bishops' Conference calls for a Sri Lankan identity, not one that is either Sinhalese or Tamil.

The United Nations resolution alleges abuses that Sri Lankan soldiers and Tamil rebels committed abuses during the country's civil war. The government accuses the UN and Western powers of interfering in its domestic affairs. In April 2011, a UN report blamed the Sri Lankan air force of killing 40,000 people.

A year after the assassination of Pakistan's minister for minorities, AsiaNews presents the testimonies of those who knew him and continue his fight for a secular Pakistan respectful of all religions and ethnicities. The fruitfulness of his martyrdom is evident in his country but also worldwide. His "will" has become a source of inspiration for millions of people. Even in overcoming ambivalence of Christian world.