Renewed focus on social justice needed
A project mapping the involvement of Jesuits in social ministries across Asia has highlighted the need for a renewed focus on social justice within the Society’s mission and activities.
Uighurs failed by Cambodia’s sham refugee law
In June last year a solitary Uighur from Xinjiang Province in China arrived in Phnom Penh seeking asylum. He registered his claim with the Cambodian Government and with UNHCR.
A Cluster of Events on the Convention of Cluster Munitions and Mine Ban Treaty
16th February 2010 was another mile-stone to celebrate achievement. It is indeed good news of great joy! Sr Denise, Country Director of JRS Cambodia excitedly exclaimed, “Today (16th February 2010) we got the 30 ratifications on the cluster munitions treaty!” This means the treaty will enter into force on 1st August 2010 as a binding international law. “Today we are letting off 104 balloons at Siem Reap, Battambang, Banteay Prieb, and Phnom Penh. 104 is the number of signatories,” continued Sr Denise.
Aussie volunteers for JRS in Cambodia
Lian, recently replaced lawyer Taya Hunt as JRS Australia’s representative in Phnom Penh, where she will work with the increasing numbers of asylum seekers arriving in Cambodia.
Jesuit calls for global refugee review
Former Jesuit Refugee Services International Director Fr Mark Raper has argued that all states share a responsibility to vulnerable people who cannot live decently in their homelands – whether due to climate change, natural disaster or war.
JRS Thailand moving to Xavier Hall
After discussions with Fr Bernard Arputhasamy, JRS Regional Director, and Mr. Aden Raj, Thailand Country Director, Fr Paul Pollock, Superior of Thailand Region, is happy to announce that the JRS country office will now move to Xavier Hall, and incorporate itself with the JRS-Asia Pacific offices. There are sufficient rooms and spaces available on the first and second floors of the office building to allow this increase of personnel.
JRS-AP Regional Meeting
Jesuit Refugee Service-Asia Pacific will hold its Regional Meeting on 26 – 30 October 2009 in Hua Hin, Thailand. Topics may include Strategic Plans of 2007-2010, Frontiers we are missing or could do regionally, Urban Refugee Issues, Solutions to the Burmese issue (Rohingyas), Priority Advocacy issues in the region, and Human resources and pastoral care of JRS staff. Participants are advised to confirm immediately with Fr Bernard Arputhasamy, JRS-AP Regional Director.
The forgotten refugees
Fr Adrianus Suyadi, Country Director, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Indonesia, writes on the IDP’s and refugees in Indonesia and the government’s policy and behavior towards them.
JRS-Timor Leste: Government Strategy for Return and Reintegration of IDPs
Walking around Dili city, one can no longer see the IDP camps. But for those who lost their homes during the crises of 2006 and 2007, their wait for “safe return and reintegration” is far from over.
Though reintegration of the IDPs into their communities started since 2008, there are still around three thousand people living in transitional houses. They are not able to return to their original homes for several reasons: concerns regarding their security, ongoing land disputes over ownership, illegal occupation of their houses, and some don’t have any place to stay.
Holy Week in Mae Hong Son Refugee Camp
It was indeed a privilege to share this rare and intimate moment with the refugees in the camp. They alone know and yet do not know that the drama of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is literally played (truly anamnesis) within the confines of the refugee camps, in their very lives.