(Vatican Radio) Hungary's interior minister says a police officer has been fired for abusing migrants, in the first such decision after repeated reports by human rights advocates about cases of ill-treatment. Listen to the report by Stefan Bos: Minister Sándor Pintér acknowledged that at least one police officer had been abusing migrants trying to enter Hungary on their way to more welcoming and prosperous Western nations. He did not provide details of the dismissal. But until now, the government had said that investigations have not confirmed any instances of abuse by police despite several reports by groups like Doctors Without Borders and Human Rights Watch.The dismissal of the policeman also came on the day that aid group Oxfam said in an new report that police and other security forces and authorities often mistreat migrants in Hungary and other countries in the region such as Serbia, Croatia en MacedoniaMinister Pinter made the announcemen...
(Vatican Radio) Hungary's interior minister says a police officer has been fired for abusing migrants, in the first such decision after repeated reports by human rights advocates about cases of ill-treatment.
Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:
Minister Sándor Pintér acknowledged that at least one police officer had been abusing migrants trying to enter Hungary on their way to more welcoming and prosperous Western nations.
He did not provide details of the dismissal. But until now, the government had said that investigations have not confirmed any instances of abuse by police despite several reports by groups like Doctors Without Borders and Human Rights Watch.
The dismissal of the policeman also came on the day that aid group Oxfam said in an new report that police and other security forces and authorities often mistreat migrants in Hungary and other countries in the region such as Serbia, Croatia en Macedonia
Minister Pinter made the announcement as he visited a newly expanded container camp on the border with Serbia, where all asylum-seekers older than 14 have to wait for a decision on their asylum requests.
NEW RULES
The measure is part of new rules in place since March 21 meant to complement razor-wire fences Hungary built on the Serbian and Croatian borders to stop the flow of migrants.
Yet, Hungary's fiercely anti-migrant Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been criticized by the European Commission, the European Union/s executive.
And on Thursday EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker also criticized an education bill that critics say targets the Central European Union University founded by billionaire American philanthropist George Soros. It was pushed by lawmakers from Orbán's Fidesz party and his seen as a wider crackdown on liberal institutions that have questioned the refugee measures and other policies
Juncker explains that he does now like the push to close the Central European University, founded by George Soros. He also criticizes the Hungarian government's new National Consultation that has the motto "Let's Stop Brussels."
Juncker stressed that "after reading this biased questionnaire, I would like to better understand Mr. Orbán's intentions."
He added that criticism of EU headquarters ran counter to Orbán's reinforced support for the European Union at a summit in Rome two weeks ago.
President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 3, 2024. / Credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty ImagesCNA Staff, May 6, 2024 / 16:15 pm (CNA).Katie Ledecky, Olympic swimmer, devout Catholic, and winner of 10 Olympic medals, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Friday. "Thank you Mr. President for this honor, and thank you to everyone at the White House for an incredibly special day!" Ledecky wrote in a post on X.Since she began her Olympic career in 2012 as a 15-year-old in the London Olympics, Ledecky has earned seven Olympic gold medals and three silver medals. She also earned 26 world championship medals, 21 of which are gold, and she currently holds two world records in the 800- and 1,500-meter freestyle events. Ledecky finds herself among other iconic athletes including gymnast Simone Biles, golfer Tiger Woods, and baseball star Babe Ru...
Naples Archbishop Domenico Battaglia kisses the reliquary containing the blood of St. Januarius on May 4, 2024. / Credit: Chiesa di NapoliACI Prensa Staff, May 6, 2024 / 16:48 pm (CNA).The miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of St. Januarius, bishop, martyr, and patron saint of Naples, Italy, was repeated in St. Clare Basilica on May 4.The Archdiocese of Naples reported on its website that on May 4 at 6:38 p.m. local time, the miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of St. Januarius occurred once again. St. Januarius was martyred in the year 305, during the fierce persecution unleashed by the Roman emperor Diocletian.The miraculous liquefaction occurred during the Mass offered by the archbishop of Naples, Domenico Battaglia, with Abbot Vincenzo De Gregorio participating and the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, in attendance.When the miracle is repeated, a white cloth is waved to indicate to the people that the miraculous sign has taken place. On this occasion, De G...
Bishop Bart van Roijen walked the length of the Gaza Strip on April 29 in support of those suffering due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. / Development and Peace - Caritas CanadaCNA Staff, May 6, 2024 / 17:20 pm (CNA).A Catholic bishop walked the length of the Gaza Strip on April 29 in support of those suffering due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Bishop Bart van Roijen of the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador in Newfoundland, Canada, walked 42 kilometers, a little over 26 miles, from York Harbor to Corner Brook and ended his journey with a prayer service at the Cathedral of the Holy Redeemer. People around the world are participating in similar walks to call for a cease-fire in Gaza and for peace in both Israel and Palestine. Van Roijen told CNA in an interview that he felt called to do this walk because he wanted "to quietly witness to the sufferings of both citizenries and to make a strong statement that the atrocities, damage, and indignities that are being don...