Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - "The balance is very precarious and unstable. The country is divided; society is polarized into the factions of "the red" (anti-government) and "the yellow" (government). The army itself suffers an internal rift that complicates the situation. I'm not very optimistic about possible developments, as the army has threatened to use weapons and the Red Shirts seem to be planning violent actions." This is what local sources of Fides in Bangkok have said, as they carefully observe the situation with concern.
In recent public statements, Thaksin Shinawatra, the tycoon-politician supported by the Red Shirts, spoke openly of masterminding the demonstrations, demanding the dissolution of parliament and new elections.
"His hostility to the executive office is not conducive to the framework and constitutes a serious obstacle to negotiations. And if the stalemate continues, the widespread violence could explode," warns Fides' source. "We are at a very delicate and dangerous point in the life of the nation. Also, the rift in the army will not ward off resounding military action," notes the source, while in the country there are rumors of "coup" and "civil war."
Meanwhile, the Thai army strengthens procedures against anti-government protesters in Bangkok, and warned that they are ready to use weapons if they try to cross the line of defense prepared for financial institutions and government buildings.
The Red Shirts announced today that they will march on the business district of Silom, Bangkok, to avoid a clash with armed soldiers who defend the area. But the protest demanding new elections continues and the Red Shirts have reported that remain "indefinitely" in the shopping and tourist precinct, which they have been occupying since April 3. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/04/2010)
AFRICA/SIERRA LEONE – Keeping in mind the disabled in developing countries: new research on the living conditions of disabled people in the country
Dakar (Agenzia Fides) – People with disabilities must be taken into account in Sierra Leone's development and poverty reduction plans, say the authors of a new study on living conditions of the country's disabled. The study was developed by the UK-based NGO Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD). While disability has received some attention in the years following the 1991-2002 civil war - in which thousands of people had limbs cut off - the authors say little data is yet available about people with disabilities in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is one of the world's poorest countries and eight years after the war living conditions remain dire for many. Still the survey did show that people with disabilities have less access to education, health care and employment than non-disabled, in a country where such access is already quite low. Over twice as many people with disabilities than non-disabled have no access to health care - 16.4 percent compared to 7.1 percent, the study shows. Some 1.5 percent of people with severe or very severe disabilities are able to receive social welfare and benefits, compared to 12.4 percent of respondents with no disabilities and 14.3 percent with mild or moderate disabilities. The disabled are also more exposed to rape and physical abuse, the study found. Polio-disabled people living in the capital Freetown say they do not want special treatment - simply the same basic services and rights as any citizen. "We are all human beings," said the Secretary General of House of Jesus, an association for disabled people in downtown Freetown. "Moreover we are citizens of this land. We have a part to play in nation-building, despite our deformity." The study was done in and around urban areas in June-July 2009; while the results cannot be said to represent the entire country they do indicate important trends, the authors say. LCD plans to expand the research to rural areas of the country. The Sierra Leone government in July 2009 ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and is currently working on national legislation to ensure compliance. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 20/04/2010)
