The couple are the recipients of the 2026 Ludovic Trarieux International Human Rights Prize, having distinguished themselves through their defence of individuals accused of blasphemy, as well as members of minority groups. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for a fair trial and expressed concern regarding judicial harassment and the use of anti-terrorism laws against people who defend fundamental freedoms.
Today's headlines: Laos’s debt tops 112 per cent of its GDP. Chechnya starts to take in Palestinian refugees. Malaysia wants to attract more wealthy foreign retirees. All of Japan’s prefectures, except Tokyo, will see a population decline by 2050 over 2020. China blocks some flights between Russia and China.
The former Pakistani prime minister was granted bail in the state secrets leak case, but remains in prison for corruption. The deadline to file nomination papers for the 8 February election was extended to 24 December. Nawaz Sharif's candidacy is still an open question.
Today's news:IAEA, Pyongyang activated a second nuclear reactor in Yongbyon; New, gruesome feminicide in India; Vietnamese vice-minister of industry and trade arrested for corruption; Thousands of Afghan migrants in prisons in Pakistan and Iran forcibly repatriated; Russian oil companies increase deliveries to China and India.
Fear among the Christians of Jaranwala in Pakistan after the August assaults on their churches and homes is still high. After losing their homes nearly a thousand families are even more socio-economically excluded. To restore hope and confidence during Advent, the Cecil&Iris Chaudhry Foundation organized a Christmas fair for the victims of Islamic fundamentalists' rampage
Today's news: Prison system in Israel is collapsing, over 3,000 more inmates since October alone; International troops on the southern side of the inter-Korean border will rearm in response to the North's increasing military activism; In Pakistan artificial intelligence used to create a rally by former premier Imran Khan, now in prison; Myanmar's civil war has caused more than 2.6 million new internally displaced persons.
Today's news: at UN Security Council new vote on Gaza truce, with over 20,000 dead; Beijing prepares to test first "made in China" ocean drilling ship; Hanoi indicts dozens of people for bribery in 12 billion euro scam; Pakistan uses artificial rain for the first time to combat smog in Lahore; In Kuwait, the funeral of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah was held yesterday.
Christians are socially and economically excluded, accused of blasphemy, victims of violence and forced marriages. While their lives in Pakistan are constantly threatened, the work of Capuchin friar Lazar Aslam is a glimmer of hope, providing help to individuals and families who are victims of violence and outreach to others overcome religious barriers and build social peace.
Forced conversions, child brides, and abuse of blasphemy laws are just a few examples. Christian and Hindu girls and young women are especially targeted in the Muslim-majority country. Greater commitment and accountability are needed from police, government, and judiciary. In one year, 3,914 rapes, 664 cases of domestic violence, 174 honour killings, and 44 acid attacks were recorded in Punjab alone.
While the controversial COP28, the international climate conference, is underway in Dubai, the pastor of the Sacred Heart parish in Pakistan planted some trees with his faithful and prayed with them for peace to mark the beginning of Advent; for him, “it is necessary for each of us to be an informed and active citizen in our community.”
Today's news: 309 people have died in attacks by Myanmar's coup junta on civilians since the beginning of the resistance counter-offensive; Widodo's government intends to return almost 1,500 Rohingya to Myanmar. In Russia; Prigožin's son takes over 'family' businesses; North Korea closed its embassies in Bangladesh and the Democratic Republic of Congo
People and goods have not moved between the two countries for five days. One of the reasons for the blockade is Pakistan's US$ 830 exit fee for Afghans who intend to return home.
In recent days, a Muslim radical killed a 20-year-old Christian. The attack was based on alleged social media posts by the young man in support of the Jewish state in the war in Gaza. A similar motive had triggered an assault in October, forcing more than a hundred people to flee. Activists call for justice and government intervention.
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