The United Nations human rights office said on Thursday (July 13) that at least 87 people, which include ethnic Masalits, were buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur. The UN said that it had credible information that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible.&nbsp;

The UN statement said that local people were forced to dispose of the bodies which included those of women and children in an open area which was close to the town of western El-Geneina between June 20-21.

The statement also said that some of the people had died from untreated injuries which were inflicted during a wave of violence by the RSF and militia allied to them. The violence had taken place following the killing of local governor Khamis Abbakar.

"I condemn in the strongest terms the killing of civilians and hors de combat individuals, and I am further appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in the same statement.

Turk called for a prompt and thorough investigation.

Reuters said that it was not clear how many Masalits were among the dead. Sudan has seen rise in ethnically motivated bloodshed in recent weeks in step with war between rival military factions. The war started in April.

<h2>Fresh mediation from Egypt</h2>

Meanwhile, Egypt was attempting to freshly mediate between Sudan's warring factions by hosting a regional summit on Thursday. The effort is latest in international attempts to prevent outbreak of civil war.

In Sudan violence, more than 1000 civilians have been killed till now and 3 million people have been displaced according to figures from United Nations.

The fighting between the army and paramilitary forces broke out in April. It has since then spread westward to the fragile Darfur and Kordofan regions.

A series of ceasefires have been negotiated by the US and Saudi Arabia. But the talks have remained suspended after violations.&nbsp;

Egypt historically has close ties with the Sudanese army. It has invited Sudan's neighbours to the Thursday summit.

The aims of the summit are to stave off foreign interference and influence in the fighting, two Egyptian security sources said, and to ultimately launch a process to achieve a peaceful agreement to stop the fighting.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United Nations human rights office said on Thursday (July 13) that at least 87 people, which include ethnic Masalits, were buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur.

The United Nations human rights office said on Thursday (July 13) that at least 87 people, which include ethnic Masalits, were buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur. The UN said that it had credible information that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible. The UN statement said that local people were forced to dispose of the bodies which included those of women and children in an open area which was close to the town of western El-Geneina between June 20-21. The statement also said that some of the people had died from untreated injuries which were inflicted during a wave of violence by the RSF and militia allied to them. The violence had taken place following the killing of local governor Khamis Abbakar. "I condemn in the strongest terms the killing of civilians and hors de combat individuals, and I am further appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in the same statement. Turk called for a prompt and thorough investigation. Reuters said that it was not clear how many Masalits were among the dead. Sudan has seen rise in ethnically motivated bloodshed in recent weeks in step with war between rival military factions. The war started in April. Fresh mediation from Egypt Meanwhile, Egypt was attempting to freshly mediate between Sudan's warring factions by hosting a regional summit on Thursday. The effort is latest in international attempts to prevent outbreak of civil war. In Sudan violence, more than 1000 civilians have been killed till now and 3 million people have been displaced according to figures from United Nations. The fighting between the army and paramilitary forces broke out in April. It has since then spread westward to the fragile Darfur and Kordofan regions. A series of ceasefires have been negotiated by the US and Saudi Arabia. But the talks have remained suspended after violations. Egypt historically has close ties with the Sudanese army. It has invited Sudan's neighbours to the Thursday summit. The aims of the summit are to stave off foreign interference and influence in the fighting, two Egyptian security sources said, and to ultimately launch a process to achieve a peaceful agreement to stop the fighting. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

At least 87, including ethnic Masalits, buried in mass grave in Sudan's Darfur, says UN

Four Indigenous children, including an 11-month-old infant, were found alive in Colombia's thick Amazon forests&nbsp;following an aircraft crash&nbsp;more than two weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro announced Wednesday, expressing "joy" for the country.

The children were located following "arduous search efforts" by the military, according to Petro's tweet.

There is uncertainty over whether the four children from an Indigenous tribe in Colombia had been found alive after an aircraft crash, when reports from the country's president were challenged by military sources.&nbsp;

As per local media reports, defence sources had no confirmation that the children had been found, reported the Guardian.

Authorities had sent out more than 100 soldiers accompanied by sniffer dogs to look for the children aboard an aeroplane that crashed on May 1, killing three adults.

Rescuers suspect the children, who included a 13-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a four-year-old, had been wandering through the jungle in the southern Caqueta region since the crash.

Earlier on&nbsp;Wednesday, the armed forces claimed that search efforts had been stepped up after rescuers discovered a "shelter built in an improvised way with sticks and branches," prompting them to suspect there were survivors.

Scissors and a hair tie were visible amid the trees on the forest floor in pictures published by the military forces.

A baby's drinking bottle and a half-eaten piece of fruit had already been discovered.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peace-talks-with-colombian-govt-in-crisis-because-eln-guerrilla-group-592826">'Peace talks with Colombian govt in crisis because...': ELN guerrilla group</a>

Soldiers discovered the remains of the pilot and two adults who had been flying from a jungle area to San Jose del Guaviare, one of Colombia's largest cities in the Amazon rainforest, on Monday and Tuesday.

Ranoque Mucutuy, one of the deceased passengers, was the mother of the four Huitoto ethnic children.

<h2>Tough search conditions amid Operation Hope</h2>

The hunt for "Operation Hope" was hampered by giant trees that can grow to be 40 metres tall, dangerous animals, and severe rain.

Three helicopters were used to assist, one of which aired a recorded message from the children's grandmother in Huitoto instructing them to halt going through the dense forest.&nbsp;

The reason of the crash&nbsp;has not been revealed by authorities.

According to Colombia's disaster response agency, the pilot reported engine difficulties just minutes before the jet vanished from radars.

It is a remote location with few roads and poor river access, therefore air travel is popular.

The Huitoto, also known as the Witoto, are renowned for living in peace with the disconnected forest, as well as for their hunting, fishing, and gathering abilities, which may have helped the children survive.

Over many decades, the population has been drastically decreased due to exploitation, illness, and assimilation.

Petro, who announced the rescue, is Colombia's first leftist president.

He took office in August of last year but has yet to implement the essential reforms in labour law, healthcare, pensions, and the judiciary that he had pledged during his campaign.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Four Indigenous children, including an 11-month-old infant, were found alive in Colombia's thick Amazon forests following an aircraft crash more than two weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro announced Wednesday, expressing "joy" for the country.

Four Indigenous children, including an 11-month-old infant, were found alive in Colombia's thick Amazon forests following an aircraft crash more than two weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro announced Wednesday, expressing "joy" for the country. The children were located following "arduous search efforts" by the military, according to Petro's tweet. There is uncertainty over whether the four children from an Indigenous tribe in Colombia had been found alive after an aircraft crash, when reports from the country's president were challenged by military sources. As per local media reports, defence sources had no confirmation that the children had been found, reported the Guardian. Authorities had sent out more than 100 soldiers accompanied by sniffer dogs to look for the children aboard an aeroplane that crashed on May 1, killing three adults. Rescuers suspect the children, who included a 13-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a four-year-old, had been wandering through the jungle in the southern Caqueta region since the crash. Earlier on Wednesday, the armed forces claimed that search efforts had been stepped up after rescuers discovered a "shelter built in an improvised way with sticks and branches," prompting them to suspect there were survivors. Scissors and a hair tie were visible amid the trees on the forest floor in pictures published by the military forces. A baby's drinking bottle and a half-eaten piece of fruit had already been discovered. ALSO READ | 'Peace talks with Colombian govt in crisis because...': ELN guerrilla group Soldiers discovered the remains of the pilot and two adults who had been flying from a jungle area to San Jose del Guaviare, one of Colombia's largest cities in the Amazon rainforest, on Monday and Tuesday. Ranoque Mucutuy, one of the deceased passengers, was the mother of the four Huitoto ethnic children. Tough search conditions amid Operation Hope The hunt for "Operation Hope" was hampered by giant trees that can grow to be 40 metres tall, dangerous animals, and severe rain. Three helicopters were used to assist, one of which aired a recorded message from the children's grandmother in Huitoto instructing them to halt going through the dense forest. The reason of the crash has not been revealed by authorities. According to Colombia's disaster response agency, the pilot reported engine difficulties just minutes before the jet vanished from radars. It is a remote location with few roads and poor river access, therefore air travel is popular. The Huitoto, also known as the Witoto, are renowned for living in peace with the disconnected forest, as well as for their hunting, fishing, and gathering abilities, which may have helped the children survive. Over many decades, the population has been drastically decreased due to exploitation, illness, and assimilation. Petro, who announced the rescue, is Colombia's first leftist president. He took office in August of last year but has yet to implement the essential reforms in labour law, healthcare, pensions, and the judiciary that he had pledged during his campaign. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Amazon plane crash: Confusion in Colombia after Pedro’s tweet on four missing kids being rescued

Members of Nepal's ethnic Tharu community in capital city Kathmandu marked their new year on Wednesday (January 15) with dance and music as they visited a fair to celebrate the special occasion.

Ethnic group in Nepal marks New Year with merriment

A Brief Summary Of Sri Lanka's History Of Rifts - Ethnic & Communal.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka's Violent History Of Rifts

Representatives of foreign political parties hailed the latest progress in the implementation of China's ethnic policy and appreciated the efforts made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in promoting economic development and ethnic unity in northwest China' Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after they wrapped up a two-day tour in the region.

The representatives were invited to Xinjiang to attend a thematic meeting on China's ethnic policy and the promotion of unity and solidarity among ethnic groups under the theme of "Practice and Achievements in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region", which offered them an opportunity to fully understand the CPC's work in enhancing ethnic unity, seeking a common development for people of all ethnic groups, and promoting opening-up and cooperation in the region.

The representatives visited local enterprises for international cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative, mosques as well as an Islamic institute before attending the thematic meeting.

Many said they were impressed by the progress the local people have made economically, ethnically and culturally.

"Every time you have new, huge construction, new, huge work opportunities, so this hints to a great economic development and I find that impressive. As far as I can judge, from outside of course, there seems to be harmony between the people, there seems to be a revolutionary unity between the two people,"said Ismail Yunus Soner, vice president, Turkish VATAN Party Department of International Relations.

"In two days, we visited some local enterprises. Through the visit, I saw the friendship between the ethnic groups and the profound friendship between comrades," said Alexey Leskien, first secretary, Communist Party of Samara Regional Committee.

"And we were fascinated by the diversity of the culture and the mixture of the ethnics groups. We were really impressed by the progress in last 40 years in the Republic of China, Xinjiang is naturally, has been for the century in the past and it should be in the future, the bridge between China and central Asia," said Mohammad Amin Karim, senior political board member, Afghanistan Hezb-e Islami Party.

Representatives of foreign political parties hailed the latest progress in the implementation of China's ethnic policy and appreciated the efforts made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in promoting economic development and ethnic unity in northwest China' Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after they wrapped up a two-day tour in the region.

Representatives of foreign political parties hailed the latest progress in the implementation of China's ethnic policy and appreciated the efforts made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in promoting economic development and ethnic unity in northwest China' Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after they wrapped up a two-day tour in the region. The representatives were invited to Xinjiang to attend a thematic meeting on China's ethnic policy and the promotion of unity and solidarity among ethnic groups under the theme of "Practice and Achievements in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region", which offered them an opportunity to fully understand the CPC's work in enhancing ethnic unity, seeking a common development for people of all ethnic groups, and promoting opening-up and cooperation in the region. The representatives visited local enterprises for international cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative, mosques as well as an Islamic institute before attending the thematic meeting. Many said they were impressed by the progress the local people have made economically, ethnically and culturally. "Every time you have new, huge construction, new, huge work opportunities, so this hints to a great economic development and I find that impressive. As far as I can judge, from outside of course, there seems to be harmony between the people, there seems to be a revolutionary unity between the two people,"said Ismail Yunus Soner, vice president, Turkish VATAN Party Department of International Relations. "In two days, we visited some local enterprises. Through the visit, I saw the friendship between the ethnic groups and the profound friendship between comrades," said Alexey Leskien, first secretary, Communist Party of Samara Regional Committee. "And we were fascinated by the diversity of the culture and the mixture of the ethnics groups. We were really impressed by the progress in last 40 years in the Republic of China, Xinjiang is naturally, has been for the century in the past and it should be in the future, the bridge between China and central Asia," said Mohammad Amin Karim, senior political board member, Afghanistan Hezb-e Islami Party.

Representatives of foreign political parties praise China's ethnic policy

Myanmar will drop charges against dozens of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-police-fire-rubber-bullets-tear-gas-to-scatter-ethnic-minority-protest-196896"> ethnic minority protesters </a>who demonstrated against a statue of independence hero General Aung San and will hold talks with them, state media said on Wednesday, offering a rare concession.

The surprise climbdown comes as Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the ruling National League for Democracy and the general's daughter, faces rising dissatisfaction in ethnic minority areas ahead of elections set for next year.

On Tuesday, police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd of 3,000 protesters in Loikaw, capital of the eastern state of Kayah, also known as Karenni.

Aung San brokered a 1947 pact among some of Myanmar's ethnic groups that is marked by an annual holiday on February 12, but the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-activists-charged-after-protesting-independence-hero-statue-196112">Karenni protesters</a> say its promises were not implemented after the general's assassination that year.

On Wednesday, the official Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said state officials had negotiated with protesters the previous day and agreed to revoke the charges against them.

In turn, the activists agreed to suspend their protests, it said, adding negotiations would take place within a month, covering issues such as an inscription on the statue's pedestal.

The statue may be moved from its prominent position in a Loikaw park, the paper added.

"The protest group dispersed after we got that agreement," said Khun Thomas, one of the Loikaw protest leaders.

He said the activists expected the charges of unlawful assembly, incitement and defamation filed against more than 50 people to be formally dropped when they went to court on Wednesday.

Officials unveiled the statue in Loikaw this month, triggering the latest in a spate of protests begun when plans for the monument were first announced in mid-2018.

Ethnic minority activists pushing for a federal system of government in Myanmar oppose the statue and other monuments to a leader from the country’s Burman majority.

On taking power in 2016, Suu Kyi set her top priority as securing peace with ethnic armed groups, but progress has been slow.

Myanmar will drop charges against dozens of ethnic minority protesters who demonstrated against a statue of independence hero General Aung San and will hold talks with them, state media said on Wednesday, offering a rare concession.

Myanmar will drop charges against dozens of ethnic minority protesters who demonstrated against a statue of independence hero General Aung San and will hold talks with them, state media said on Wednesday, offering a rare concession. The surprise climbdown comes as Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the ruling National League for Democracy and the general's daughter, faces rising dissatisfaction in ethnic minority areas ahead of elections set for next year. On Tuesday, police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd of 3,000 protesters in Loikaw, capital of the eastern state of Kayah, also known as Karenni. Aung San brokered a 1947 pact among some of Myanmar's ethnic groups that is marked by an annual holiday on February 12, but the Karenni protesters say its promises were not implemented after the general's assassination that year. On Wednesday, the official Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said state officials had negotiated with protesters the previous day and agreed to revoke the charges against them. In turn, the activists agreed to suspend their protests, it said, adding negotiations would take place within a month, covering issues such as an inscription on the statue's pedestal. The statue may be moved from its prominent position in a Loikaw park, the paper added. "The protest group dispersed after we got that agreement," said Khun Thomas, one of the Loikaw protest leaders. He said the activists expected the charges of unlawful assembly, incitement and defamation filed against more than 50 people to be formally dropped when they went to court on Wednesday. Officials unveiled the statue in Loikaw this month, triggering the latest in a spate of protests begun when plans for the monument were first announced in mid-2018. Ethnic minority activists pushing for a federal system of government in Myanmar oppose the statue and other monuments to a leader from the country’s Burman majority. On taking power in 2016, Suu Kyi set her top priority as securing peace with ethnic armed groups, but progress has been slow.

Myanmar to drop charges against ethnic minority protesters in statue dispute

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