South Asia

On the occasion of International Day for People with Disabilities, on December 3, several initiatives held across Pakistan. Christian Associations organize a march to raise awareness, followed by a seminar in the city's cathedral. A sister calls for a "quota" for people with disabilities in school and in the public sector.

The rating agency warns of possible downgrade for euro zone members, including Germany and France. Yet, Europe’s economy has grown in the past three months. Standard & Poor's appears less interested in the US and Japan as European banks bet against the euro.

In the 197-page document, the National People’s Tribunal of the National Solidarity Movement, a coalition of social activist groups, draws a global picture of Hindu fundamentalist violence against Christians in Kandhamal, including the context, the human, socio-economic and cultural impact of the attacks, the authorities’ responses and possible solutions to bring justice and dignity to survivors.

In an interview with AsiaNews, Ram Puniyani, Convenor of the National People’s Tribunal, talks about the latter’s report on the 2008 anti-Christian pogroms. For him, the issue was not religious but the political use of poverty among Hindu Adivasi and Christian Dalits by Hindu fundamentalists.

AsiaNews has the courage to report Sri Lanka’s human rights violations and social problems, despite the government’s suppression of dissent. Various social and religious figures offer their best wishes and advice on the eight anniversary of the agency’s English edition.

The curia hosted an interfaith seminar, attended by prominent figures from the two faiths. Bishop Coutts said that the city is "a symbol of peace" for Pakistan. Muslim personality speaks of "the blood spilled" to build harmony. During the meeting times of prayer.

The archbishop of Colombo breaks the Church’s silence on the Prem Nivasa case, which involves the Missionaries of Charity allegedly selling the babies of unwed mothers. The cardinal attacks the lies and ambiguities reported in local media, announces that he will not take part in any official event until the truth comes out. He calls on the country’s Catholics to pray for “the misguided people” who made the accusations and “the good mission of the sisters in Sri Lanka.”

The Masihi Foundation has organized a day of prayer and fun, with games and candy. There is also a Muslim human rights activist, who calls for greater "integration" of minorities in the Pakistani community. Catholic priest emphasizes the importance of education as a means of social redemption.

Amariah Masih was murdered, shot to death because she resisted her attacker. The author a 28 year old Muslim named Arif Gujjar, drug addict and son of a wealthy landowner. Police arrests the man and collaborates with the family. The solidarity of the Muslim community that seeks "reconciliation".

In an interview with AsiaNews, the pastor of All Saints Anglican Church says he was "the victim of a conspiracy," but holds "no grudge". The rev. Khanna spent ten days in jail for having baptized seven Muslims.

Practiced to prevent skin diseases, "made snas" is over 400 years old. Unnecessary protests of activists to abolish the ritual, considered inhumane by many and a way to feed the caste discrimination.

In Kunduz, local leader has acolytes throw acid on the members of a family because the father had refused to give his daughter in marriage. Speaking to AsiaNews, local source slams the country’s tribal Islamic culture, which continues to trample civil laws and human rights. More than 50 per cent of Afghan women in prison are there on adultery charges.