May, 2019
Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council: Some Bahay Pag-asa centers ‘worse than prisons’
May 29, 2019 · By Gaea Katreena Cabico (Philstar.com) for www.philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The dismal condition of youth care facilities supposed to help children in conflict with the law was highlighted at a Senate panel hearing on proposed bills on the age of criminal responsibility. Tricia Oco, executive director of the government’s Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, lamented that some of “Bahay Pag-asa” centers have […]
Read More...The Spiritual Wounds of Sexual Abuse
May 29, 2019 · By Hans Zollner SJ for laciviltacattolica.com
In a meeting with Pope Francis, a victim of sexual abuse said with profound sadness and desperation: “Jesus had his mother nearby when he faced suffering and death. But my mother, the Church, left me all alone in my time of pain.” These few words express the horror of abuse, especially the sexual abuse of […]
Read More...Impunity blamed for Bangladesh child rape surge
May 29, 2019 · By Stephan Uttom and Rock Ronald Rozario, Dhaka for www.ucanews.com
Bangladesh has seen an alarming recent rise in child rape and abuse cases, with rights activists blaming a weak justice system for creating a culture of impunity and negligence. At least 41 children were raped — 37 girls and four boys — from May 1-8, according to the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), a Dhaka-based rights […]
Read More...Senate expected to fast-track the bill starting today (May 27)!
May 28, 2019 · By Change.org for www.change.org
MAY 27, 2019 — Starting today (May 27), the Senate is expected to fast-track the bill seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility. They will no longer go through the long but extensive debates and will push for the bill’s passage before the 17th Congress closes. This move heeds the request from the […]
Read More...Courage born out of injustice and grief
May 28, 2019 · By Edita T. Burgos, Manila for www.ucanews.com
Even in the most excruciating and treacherous situations, people do selflessly give of themselves. Isn’t this the most concrete proof that God is within us? We will never be short of “living” heroes from whom we can draw inspiration especially from this kind of vocation to which we have dedicated our lives, fighting for a […]
Read More...Myanmar cardinal steps up fight to stop dam
May 28, 2019 · By John Zaw, Mandalay for www.ucanews.com
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has made a passionate plea to all stakeholders to stop any effort to dam the Irrawaddy River. In a video message marking Myanmar’s New Year on April 17, he appealed to Myanmar and Chinese leaders not to resume the stalled Myitsone Dam project. “We are deeply concerned and worried. There are signs that extreme […]
Read More...Myanmar troops kill six detainees in Rakhine
May 27, 2019 · By John Zaw, Mandalay for www.ucanews.com
Rights groups have called on Aung San Suu Kyi’s government to demand an “independent and impartial investigation” after Myanmar’s military admitted shooting dead six civilians in Rakhine State. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) has systematically targeted civilians when fighting insurgents, causing massive human rights violations. Six […]
Read More...Mining in Indonesia leaves deadly legacy
May 27, 2019 · By Ryan Dagur, Jakarta for www.ucanews.com
April 21 ended in tragedy for Rizki Nur Aulia’s family when the knock on the door came and the visitor told her parents that she had died in a tragic accident. The 13-year-old girl had left her home in East Kalimantan province’s Kutai Kertangera district earlier that day to see friends but ended up losing […]
Read More...Trading in human misery and despair
May 27, 2019 · By Father Shay Cullen, Manila for www.ucanews.com
Human trafficking is the most widespread crime against people and is the third biggest earning illicit business in the world after drug trafficking and arms smuggling.Worldwide, as many as 42 million people are victims — most of them are women and 33 percent are children.The earnings are estimated to be US$32 billion a year, according to […]
Read More...The Curse of Sex Tourism Part 2
May 24, 2019 ·
The Curse of Sex Tourism Part 2 Fr. Shay Cullen 24 May 2019 Hundreds of thousands of young girls and boys are lured, forced or trafficked into the sex industry every day worldwide. Human traffickers are the curse of the nation but they operate with relative impunity and sell the youth into the sex bars […]
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