News Archives » Homepage News
Gov. Richardson Signs Death Penalty Repeal March 20th, 2009
On 18th February, 2009 New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed into law a bill to repeal the death penalty in that State. This makes New Mexico the second state to abolish the death penalty. The law replaces the death penalty with a sentence of life without possibility of parole.
Click here to read more »
The Spring 2009 issue of JPIC Report now available March 18th, 2009
The Spring issue of JPIC Report is now available, with hyperlinks to email addresses and websites mentioned in the text. (Download PDF)
Click here to read more »
Join in Reviewing the World Bank’s Transparency Policy March 18th, 2009
The World Bank is currently accepting public comments from civil society groups regarding World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information. This public comment period will run from March 13 to May 8, 2009. The World Bank has issued a paper calling for revision of its disclosure policy titled: “TOWARD GREATER TRANSPARENCY: RETHINKING THE WORLD BANK’S DISCLOSURE POLICY.” This is available on the World Bank website. Send your comments via email to Disclosure_Consultations@worldbank.org or post comments on the Bank’s website.
Click here to read more »
Tea Estate Expansion Threatens Bangladeshi Khasi People and Forest March 15th, 2009
In early January 2009, the Zhimai Tea Estate Authority cut-down a number of trees in the Pan-zoom of Zhimai. Thousands of trees have been demarcated to be felled and construction of labor-quarters has begun in an expansion of the tea garden. This activity threatens displacement of the indigenous Khasi people of Zhimai Punji, and directly interferes with their livelihood, which depends on the betel plant which grows on tall trees. Apart from the destruction of the land & livelihood of the Khasi, the tree felling severely affects the bio-diversity, and overall environment of the hills & forest of Sylhet Division, Bangladesh.
Fr. Joseph Gomes, OMI has been working with the Khasi people and APRA (Adibashi Poribesh Roskhya Andolon), the movement administered by BAPA, a national Bangladeshi environmental organization, for the protection & conservation of Bangladeshi forests.
Read report on the forest destruction (Download PDF)
US Expresses Deep Concern about Humanitarian Situation in Sri Lanka March 14th, 2009
The US State Department issued a statement on March 13 expressing “deep concern over the deteriorating conditions and increasing loss of life occurring in the Government of Sri Lanka‐designated “safe zone” in northern Sri Lanka.” In a call to President Rajapaksa, Secretary Clinton “stated that the Sri Lankan Army should not fire into the civilian areas of the conflict zone. The Secretary offered immediate and post‐conflict reconstruction assistance and she extended condolences to the victims of the March 10 bombing outside a mosque in southern Sri Lanka. She condemned the actions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who are reported to be holding civilians as human shields, and to have shot at civilians leaving LTTE areas of control.”
Secretary Clinton called on President Rajapaksa to devise a political solution to the ongoing conflict. She further urged the President to give international humanitarian relief organizations full access to the conflict area and displaced persons camps, including screening centers.”
According to the Statement, “The United States believes that a durable and lasting peace will only be achieved through a political solution that addresses the legitimate aspirations of all of Sri Lanka’s communities.” The US calls on the Sri Lankan Government “to put forward a proposal now to engage Tamils who do not espouse violence or terrorism, and to develop power sharing arrangements so that lasting peace and reconciliation can be achieved.”
