South Asia

A group of tribals from a Jesuit school were attacked at night by a gang armed with sticks while travelling on a train. A priest targeted after celebrating customary Mass in a village. In both cases false accusations of conversions. Card. Gracias: "Christians of all confessions took to the streets to defend Fr Joseph, a visible witness of ecumenism in this Octave of Prayer for Unity".

In the first of a two-part reportage, an investigative team looked into the role of current prime minister during the 2002 Gujarat riots. For India’s Foreign Ministry, the investigation is steeped in "bias" and "lack of objectivity". Meanwhile, India’s Information Ministry is proposing a change in the law to prevent the spread of what the government decides to be “fake news”.

The Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkwa assemblies are dissolved. After street protests failed, the former prime minister has changed his strategy to return to power. Prime Minister Sharif accuses him of creating chaos as the country grapples with its economic crisis. Some fear that the political stalemate could lead to the military making a comeback.

Last year more than 50 young people went missing from different areas of the country, at least seven were from Comilla, south-east of Dhaka. One, Al Amin, a student who wanted to return home, was ambushed and killed by another militia group. The government has policies to counter radicalism.

According to Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington, the two countries want to maintain stable relations. Despite its interests in both countries, it is hard for China to get involved in the dispute. India provides Afghanistan with development aid, but cannot be considered a partner of the Taliban.

Pyongyang returns to the top of the list of the most dangerous countries for Christians drawn up by the international NGO. India is the country with the highest number of recorded arrests: as many as 1750 in one year. The expansion of the 'China model' in the subordination of religious freedom to 'stability and security' is worrying. In the world 1 believer in Jesus out of every 7 lives in a country where discrimination is high; 5,621 were killed in twelve months.

Two senior officers were also targeted. According to a Canadian MP, Sri Lanka cannot continue on the path of impunity despite the years that have gone by since the end of the civil war. Sri Lankans in the diaspora still hope that the victims of heinous crimes will one day get justice.

Oxfam's report presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos highlights the increase in economic inequality over the pandemic period. "If Indian billionaires were taxed at a rate of 2% of their total wealth it would support the feeding of malnourished people in the country for the next three years".

Latif Afridi, 79, was killed by a relative, Pakistani media report. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow, urges provincial government to bring the situation under control. The lawyer had repeatedly criticised the military for interfering in politics.

Despite talks between the parties led by a Church committee, the bishops’ meeting ended with no agreement. In the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, tensions have simmered for a year over a failed compromise on the uniform rite. For Card Alencherry, everyone should understand that ignoring the synod's decision is illicit. New incidents between opposing sides marred Christmas celebrations at Ernakulam cathedral.

The Sri Lankan president took part in Pongal, a traditional festival, assuring the implementation of the 13th Amendment devolving powers to the provinces. Activists organised an event in response to demand justice for the victims of the civil war.

Ishtiaq Saleem is accused of posting pictures of the Prophet Mohammad’s name in Arabic tattooed on his body. Upon his arrest, he was beaten. His wife proclaims his innocence, saying that he is illiterate and the victim of a "conspiracy" based on religion. Pakistan’s electronic crimes law as well as blasphemy legislation are used to target religious minorities.