Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Caritas Internationalis has called for violence in Myanmar to end, for human rights to be respected and for a peaceful solution to the crisis in that country. In an appeal made yesterday the Catholic organisation urged Myanmar government to respect the human rights of all citizens, including the right to make a peaceful protest”.
Caritas has asked the international community to use its influence to convince the government in Myanmar to reach a non violence resolution of the crisis: “China, India and the other countries of Asia could be more involved with Myanmar”.
Lesley Anne Knight, recently elected Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, said: “We condemn this violent reaction to peaceful protest and we support the people of Myanmar. The International Community should continue to watch events in Myanmar, which could have heavy repercussions on the Buddhist monks and rest of the people”. Caritas also expressed appreciation for efforts on the part of the United Nations Organisation to try to intervene to restore peace in the country.
The crisis in Myanmar was also mentioned by Caritas Australia on Social Justice Sunday on the theme “Who is my neighbour?”, and recalling that the Catholic Church is close to anyone who suffers, to the poor, the weak, the excluded. “At this moment the Burmese are our neighbours”, said Jack De Groot, head of Caritas Australia. “We stand beside the Burmese people in this struggle for justice and freedom with our prayers and all our solidarity ”, he said. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/9/2007 righe 25 parole 257)
