Mohamed Muizzu’s government has been engaged in a campaign to expel undocumented foreign workers for a couple of years. However, a study highlights how many migrants who entered the country legally become irregular due to unpaid wages, unrenewed visas, or complaints filed by employers. In August, the deaths of eight Bangladeshi nationals reignited concerns regarding safety conditions.
A group of RSS extremists attack and threaten two young Baptists in Bhiwani accusing them of forced conversions. John Dayal President of the All India Catholic Union warns: Hindu fundamentalists have orchestrated an out and out campaign against minorities with precise ideological and political ends. There has been an average of 4 cases a week since summer.
A resolution is approved by a near unanimous vote condemning violence and injustice against believers. Even though its list of offenders is not complete, it shows Asia as the continent with the largest number of countries violating religious freedom.
The new prime minister is Mohammedmian Soomro, former Senate president, loyal supporter of general Musharraf. The president transfers power to revoke state of emergency to his office, while Bhutto is released and demands an end to the military dictatorship.
At the moment the eye of the storm lies 500 km off the Bengal coast but is increasing in intensity. Maximum alert in Mongola, the cities of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar also at risk. Over ten million people live in the area.
The Indian Finance minister launches an appeal for a return to dialogue, which sets out devolution of power in the Tamil area. The rebels and government remain deaf, the latter strengthening its ranks with a fresh conscription campaign.
After five years pro-Musharraf National Assembly is dissolved at the stroke of midnight tonight. Elections are scheduled for January 9 but arrests and human rights violations continue throughout the country. Justice and Peace Commission calls for a return to constitutional rule and an independent judiciary.
An interview with Fr. VM Thomas, Executive Director, Don Bosco Institute DBI, who has just returned from a conference focusing on the next generation promoted by the FABC, the priest analyses the continents main issues: unemployment, lack of access to education in a globalised world, the collapse of values, the need to affirm one’s identity. He invites the Church to rapidly intervene: we need to be Christ to today’s youth; only by encountering Him can their lives be filled with purpose.
In a press statement, the Communist Party claims that there are mysterious forces operating within the Church whipping up anti-Communist sentiments. The spokesman of the Syro-Malabar Synod tells AsiaNews that local Communists are going through an identity crisis. He calls for a sincere and prudent dialogue with them but without compromises with the Marxist ideology.
Pakistan authorities have issued a warrant for her detention in a senator’s home. Over one thousand officers forced to protect the building given the high number of supporters who surround her. The break down of dialogue with Musharraf confirmed.
Members of the Communist Party yesterday attacked the storage centres of local small farmers, to convince them through violence to give in to their lands being requisitioned. The opposition declares the shit down of the entire State.
The United National Party will not vote in favour of the 2008 budget because planned expenditures include record defence spending and higher direct and indirect taxes, which are likely to push inflation up to 22 per cent. Dissatisfaction among ordinary Sri Lankans grows whilst government allies are also unhappy.
The president of Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission makes the charges, stressing the unconstitutionality of the action and how it violates the population’s human rights. Bhutto ends power-sharing talks with the general.
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