In Cox’s Bazar, 40 officers from the Armed Police Battalion took part in a training session organised by Caritas Bangladesh. The goal is to reinforce law enforcement response to violence against women and children, foster a victim-centred approach, and improve coordination with support services.
The attack on a military bus took place one day after the assassination of a Tamil member of parliament, openly critical of the government. The politician was killed inside a Hindu temple. Despite continued threats Colombo had removed his escort weeks ago.
Gladys Staines, who lost her husband and two children in a 1999 attack, writes to the Indian premier calling on the government to “restore harmony” and invites people to learn to forgive. Singh guarantees “respect for all citizens religious freedom, without distinctions”.
Numbers show that Internet is home to religious and spiritual quests. Burma, Christians in Muslim lands, China and the Vatican are AsiaNews’ top searched words.
The Bishops Conference announce 8 days of prayer following the Christmas attacks. Numerous fugitives still seek refuge in the forests living without food and shelter. A memorandum from the National Commission for Human Rights sent to the State Governor lists the loss and damage done to Christians and demands action against police who stood by and watched.
Election Commission postpones polls by six weeks because of damages incurred by many polling stations in last week’s violence. Tonight President Musharraf is to speak to the nation. Speculation continues as to the who was behind the Bhutto assassination and why. Former prime minister held a file with intelligence services’ plan to fix the elections.
The Upper House has been elected; in February or March the Lower house will be voted in. Once Parliament is installed, the King will have a purely formal role. Democracy was desired by the king after a century of monarchical rule. Television arrived in 1999 to the country which aims to preserve the national culture to promote Tourism.
In the first Mass of 2008 Benedict XVI refers to his Message for the World Day of peace. He reiterates that a commitment to the family founded on the marriage between a man and a woman is the basis of peace in the world. But such peace must be invoked. In Mary’s school, the school of the Mother of God, we learn to be peace operators and witnesses to the Prince of Peace.
In expressing his best wishes for the New Year, Benedict XVI calls on the world to rediscover God and build solidarity among peoples as one family. He sends special greetings to the Italian president and all Church communities, like Sant’Egidio’s, who have sponsored initiatives for World Day of Peace.
The former rebel group quit the cabinet in September demanding the immediate abolition of the monarchy, which parliament did on Friday. Now there are hopes the election to a constituent assembly might take place, but Maoists have not yet implemented the agreement to demobilise their military force.
A ruling party spokesman proposes postponing the poll. Election Commission will announce its decision tomorrow. The Pakistan People’s Party appoints Ms Bhutto’s son as her official successor, says it is ready for the 8 January poll. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan accuses Musharraf of involvement in the assassination, calls on the United Nations to conduct an independent inquiry.
Criticism of the government mounts, while al Qaeda denies all responsibility. The desire to continue the march towards freedom and democracy and fears for immediate consequences.
The body of the popular leader, killed yesterday in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi, arrived in her home town of Naudero, where she will be buried today in a funeral attended by thousands. Violent protests rocked the country overnight, against the government that many consider to be behind the murder claimed by al-Qaeda.
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