Monthly Archives: June 2013
PERU – National Migration Week, no to human trafficking
Lima (Agenzia Fides) – “No to human trafficking and smuggling of migrants: challenges for the New Evangelization”, this is the campaign sponsored by the Pastoral Care of Human Mobility of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, on the occasion of the National Migration Week and of their families that takes place across the Country from June 9 to 16. Continue reading PERU – National Migration Week, no to human trafficking
Pope: the economic crisis cannot be used as an excuse to shirk responsibilities to starving people
Independent Catholic News
“Something more can and must be done” for the millions of people who are “still suffering and dying of starvation”, something which is “truly scandalous” in this day and age. Moreover, the current global crisis cannot “continue to be used as an alibi” for people, states and institutions to shirk their responsibility in helping the poor and hungry of the world.
This was the focus of Pope Francis address on Thursday morning to 400 participants at the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Conference meeting in Rome. Continue reading Pope: the economic crisis cannot be used as an excuse to shirk responsibilities to starving people
Brazil protests take to the pitch as People’s Cup highlights evictions
Tournament aims to showcase the concerns of locals who say they are being forced from their homes to make way for World Cup stadiums and Olympic developments
Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro
Physically, it’s only a few kilometres away from the Maracanã stadium, but in symbolism, the People’s Cup could not be much further removed from the mega sporting events now being staged in Rio de Janeiro and other Brazilian cities.
Instead of the World Cup success story of new stadiums, corporate sponsors and wealthy football stars, it is a protest event staged in a run-down community centre, backed by civil rights groups and played out by those who feel the 2014 finals and 2016 Olympics are being used to push them further down the social lower divisions. Continue reading Brazil protests take to the pitch as People’s Cup highlights evictions
African migrants ‘left to die’ sue Spanish, French militaries
Mail and Guardian
Survivors of a dinghy tragedy that left 63 migrants dead have accused the Nato member states of failing to come to the aid of people in danger.
Two survivors of a dinghy tragedy that killed 63 migrants in the Mediterranean lodged fresh legal complaints today in Paris and Madrid, accusing the French and Spanish military of failing to come to the aid of people in danger.
The harrowing case known as the boat “left-to-die” was first revealed by the Guardian in 2011 and raised serious questions about the role of Nato naval vessels and military aircraft after a tiny dinghy crammed with 72 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa ran out of fuel and drifted for two weeks along one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The passengers died one by one, despite numerous distress calls, while Nato allies engaged in the operation against Muammar Gaddafi were in the waters nearby but did not help. Continue reading African migrants ‘left to die’ sue Spanish, French militaries
Brazil sends national security force to quell protests
Brazil’s government says it will deploy a national security force to five major cities after a wave of protests which has seen almost a quarter of a million people demand better public services.
The national force will be sent to Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Fortaleza and the capital, Brasilia.
All of the cities are hosting games in Fifa’s Confederations Cup. Continue reading Brazil sends national security force to quell protests
Senator Russ Feingold Appointed US Special Envoy to the Great Lakes (of Africa)
AFJN
by Jacques Bahati
Former Senator from Wisconsin, Russ Feingold, has been appointed US Special Representative for the African Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. National and international organizations have been calling for this appointment since 2006. Continue reading Senator Russ Feingold Appointed US Special Envoy to the Great Lakes (of Africa)
What will happen when the MDGs expire?
By Dan Smith
The UN High Level Panel (HLP) on the Post-2015 Development Agenda has reported. The UN General Assembly is expected to agree on something to replace the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in September 2015 and the HLP’s report has ignited the debate. Continue reading What will happen when the MDGs expire?
South Sudan: Thousands at Risk of Death as Medical Care is Cut Off
Many of the displaced people fled for their lives into the bush amid intensified fighting between South Sudan’s army (the SPLA) and the David Yau Yau armed militia group over the past month.
JONGLEI – An estimated 120,000 people have fled fighting in and around the main towns in Pibor county, in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, and are hiding in malaria-infested swamps without access to safe drinking water, food or medical care, said the international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on June 14. MSF now calls on the government of South Sudan to allow immediate humanitarian assistance to these areas to prevent the deaths of thousands of people. Continue reading South Sudan: Thousands at Risk of Death as Medical Care is Cut Off
South Africa: Don’t frack with the Karoo
African Charter Article# 24: All peoples shall have the right to a general satisfactory environment favorable to their development.
Summary & Comment: A number of groups gathered in Steylerville to expose the problems and difficulties of drilling and fracking for methane gas for the communities in the Karoo and for Mother Earth. They also linked with other regional and international groups. Continue reading South Africa: Don’t frack with the Karoo
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation 