Derechos Humanos / Human Rights

Aleppo, Nov. 17 (DP.net).– Under the boot of a cruel dictator, persecuted by Islamic extremists and terrorists bent on eradicating every vestige of Christianity in Syria, the Franciscan missionaries stoically and heroically persist in their charitable mission in such an inhospitable environment. Nevertheless, they are not limited to extending a brotherly hand to Christians but also to Muslims and to those dispossessed of any other religion who have fallen into utter misery as a result of the war and terrorism.

Over the last four years, over 250,000 people have lost their lives in Syria. The drama of this war-torn country plays out on the evening news in front of our eyes: families try to escape from the war, from the bombs, from terror… But, the poorest among them cannot get away. Franciscan friars who live in the Syrian missions remain close to those who are left behind, to live in the ruins of their cities, in the midst of this unending war. These friars have stayed behind and continue to serve the refugees.

They are currently…

• Providing ongoing emergency funds to the people in Syria and Iraq
• Supporting 29 parishes, 4 homes for orphans and 3 academic institutions
• Operating 16 schools for more than 10,000 pre-K through grade 12 students
• Relocating and providing homes to Christian families
• Rehabilitating destroyed homes for Christians families
• Supporting more than 100 men preparing to be priests or brothers
• Assisting Syrian and Iraqi refugee families in Jordan and Lebanon by helping to pay for rent, food, heat, schooling and transportation.

Oct.27 (DP.net).– China's reckless environmental policies are fueling a humanitarian crisis in Tibet and a climate catastrophe worldwide. Tibetans have been devoted stewards of their unique environment for centuries. Their experience protecting grasslands, rivers, forests and mountains would be a great help in saving Tibet's environment and contribute to the World's efforts to contain the ravages of climate change.

However, the Chinese Communist Party excludes Tibetans from environmental policy decisions. Even worse, Tibetans who speak out against the damming and diversion of rivers or rampant logging and mining are constantly being silenced and sentenced to long prison terms. Indeed, this China's destructive environmental policies imperil people far beyond Tibet.

It is a fact that six of the world's major rivers originate in Tibet. Nearly 2 billion people across Asia depend on Tibet's rivers for their water and irrigation. However, massive dams already in place –and dozens more set for construction– enable the Chinese government to turn life-sustaining water into a weapon against people in Tibet and throughout the region.