Amnesty International
Get flash to fully experience Pearltrees
Extreme controversy surrounds any discussion of the Catholic Church's role in genocide and crimes against humanity. Several issues need to be highlighted in seeking to unravel this controversy. First is the allegation that the Church was directly responsible for the drive toward colonialism in issuing papal bulls that commanded states such as Portugal to spread Catholicism.
Catholic Church
Burma, with an estimated population of 56 million, is ruled by a highly authoritarian military regime dominated by the majority ethnic Burman group. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), led by Senior General Than Shwe, was the country's de facto government. Military officers wielded the ultimate authority at each level of government.
2010 Human Rights Report: Burma
(New York) – Burma’s armed forces have committed serious abuses against ethnic Kachin civilians in renewed fighting in Kachin State, Human Rights Watch said today.
Burma: Army Committing Abuses in Kachin State
Death Penalty
Developments on the use of the death penalty in 2011 confirmed the global trend towards abolition.Demand Dignity
Photo: In 2009, Amnesty launched a campaign across Sierra Leone with activists, musicians and a drama group to engage with local communities on maternal health.