The human rights activist told AsiaNews that the elections organised by the military junta are just propaganda. How can they supervise an election since they failed to respect the 2020 vote? He wants “concrete actions" from the international community. The military “must be held accountable” for the violence committed with impunity. He hopes to see interethnic unity in a democratic country; it is time to show “that we are not divided.”

Baseless rumours are fuelling the ethnic conflict that broke out a year and a half ago in the north-eastern Indian state. The latest fake news refers to “900 militants” who allegedly came from neighbouring Myanmar to fight the Meitei. Chief of Army Staff has denied the claim, saying that people entering from Myanmar “are coming unarmed” to escape the war in that country.

After the announcement, Myanmar’s Chinese-made jets bombed Lashio, a city controlled by ethnic militias. The government-in-exile and various armed groups fighting the junta for the past three years dismissed the proposal as a “political manoeuvre” due to the difficulties on the ground.

Forced to abandon the cathedral in November 2023 due to fighting, the bishop of Loikaw continues to care for the faithful of his diocese, now scattered in 200 refugee camps in remote areas. Speaking to AsiaNews, he talked about the tragedy of young people fighting and reflects on how these communities in Kayah State, despite their great difficulties, today remind him of the first Christians. For him, the Church is where people share and love each other.

In a conversation with Jesuits that took place in Jakarta and was published today by ‘La Civiltà Cattolica’, the pontiff - responding to a question from a Burmese confrere - recounted that he had asked for the release of the Nobel Peace Prize winner imprisoned in a location unknown to her own family. ‘In Myanmar today one cannot remain silent: the future of the country must be peace based on respect for a democratic order’.

As connectivity is restored, the extent of the devastation becomes clear. The dioceses of Taunggyi and Kengtung (Shan State) are completely cut off. Local sources say the country’s military junta lacks the resources to deal with the situation and people are left to fend for themselves. Meanwhile, the Fondazione PIME has reactivated its Myanmar Emergency fund.