Sri Lanka

Asian Human Rights Commission makes the allegation in a report released on International Human Rights Day. The year 2007 saw continued human rights violations by both Tamil rebels and the government. Corruption is up and freedom of expression is more restricted.

In his message for World Peace Day Benedict XVI says that in the family one can experience and be taught peace. For this reason the “family of peoples” must protect it and be inspired by it so as to be able to manage the “common house.” Mankind, which is more important than nature, must use the natural environment and the international community in non-selfish ways and be concerned about a model of sustainable development, all of which requires a moral norm. The Pope also expresses concerns over the arms race, including the race for atomic weapons.

Pro-family policies are needed for universal peace in China as much as in Italy. The reference to God is not the cause of religious wars, but rather the basis for world coexistence.

In a country where war and violence force families into fear, an invitation is given so that we may witness the arrival of Christ, “The King of Peace”. Avoid luxurious parties and bring spiritual and material comfort. Some concrete gestures to remind that the birth is real.

In his message to the diocese, Archbishop Gomis frowned upon the situation in the country, which has plummeted “back in time”: war, social disparity, and human rights violations are only a few of the daily crimes. But with the birth of Jesus, “hope smiles upon us”: prayer and penance are necessary in order to change our hearts.

Tough sentence for both the rebels and the military for the recent massacres. A call to all to condemn violence and to treat everyone with comprehension and compassion in order to overcome hatred and vengeance. Over 70 thousand dead in 24 years of civil war.

The World Forum of Fisher People denounces after having visited fishing villages hit by the killer wave. Three years on from the tragedy, survivors still live in tents and barely make ends meet. An appeal to the government to commit itself to rebuilding homes and the local economy.

The secretary general Ban invites both sides in the conflict to “resume the peace process”. The two explosions, one caused by a female suicide bomber, left 18 people dead and 30 wounded; they could signal the beginning of a fresh Tiger campaign against civilians in answer to the government attacks in the North.

An inter-faith group made up of Catholics and Muslims that slammed the project organises a joint day of prayer as a form of protest. If it is built the power station will have a disastrous environmental impact on the area. Many families are already suffering as a result of their eviction on the president’s order. The new government-built homes they were given already show structural problems and are located faraway from basic services.

Following an arson attack against the offices of Leader publications, which puts out papers critical of the government, Bishop Duleep De Chickera releases special communiqué. He appeals to all religious leaders not to remain silent and defends freedom of expression as necessary for the well-being of democracy.

The numbers are provided by the International Red Cross who say that the situation is tense in the area where clashes between rebels and government forces have intensified. In Wankali Tiger leaflets warn the population to abandon their homes by November 27th or be moved by force.

Yesterday parliament approved president Rajapakse’s economic plan with record defence funding. But the coalition in power splits, with JVP voting against. The cause: the head of state intends to form a National unity government, by “buying” members of the opposition.