El&nbsp;Salvador&nbsp;has arrested some 50,000 suspected gang members since President Nayib Bukele launched a "war" in March on criminal groups terrorizing the country, the head of the country's police force announced Tuesday.

"We can inform the Salvadoran people that we have already reached 50,000 recorded detentions during the period of the emergency regime," said Mauricio Arriaza, director of the National Civil Police.

Arriaza, as well as Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro and Defense Minister Rene Merino appeared Tuesday at parliament to request an extension of the emergency powers, which have done away with the need for arrest warrants.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-salvadors-bukele-seeks-emergency-powers-over-spike-in-gang-killings-465952">El Salvador's Bukele seeks emergency powers over spike in gang killings</a>

They were first enacted in March and have been prolonged by the legislature on a month-by-month basis ever since.

The 84-seat unicameral assembly agreed Tuesday night to grant the government's newest request to maintain the decree, with 66 members voting in favor of an extension through mid-September.

The small Central American country has also increased sentences for gang membership five-fold, to up to 45 years.

To house part of the detainees, Bukele ordered the construction of a gigantic prison for 40,000 gang members in a rural area of the city of Tecoluca, in the center of the country, which should be ready before the end of the year.

"The results of the emergency regime have been overwhelming, we have had a strong impact on these terrorist structures," Villatoro said Tuesday in his report on the gang crackdowns.

Almost 69 percent of the detainees are accused of belonging to the notorious Mara Salvatrucha gang -- also known as MS-13 -- followed by the Surenos faction of the Barrio 18 gang (17.7 per cent) and the Revolucionarios faction of the same group (12.7 per cent).

Rights groups have denounced the arbitrary arrest of many people, including minors, with no gang links.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-salvadors-nayib-bukele-promotes-bitcoin-adoption-by-emerging-countries-480023">El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele promotes bitcoin adoption by emerging countries</a>

In different operations, the police and the army have seized more than a million dollars, in addition to 1,283 weapons.

More than 1,500 vehicles, as well as drugs and cell phones, have also been seized.

The wave of detentions is unprecedented in the country of 6.5 million people, who have suffered decades of violent crime driven by powerful gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18.

These gangs count some 70,000 members, most of them now behind bars, according to the authorities.

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El Salvador has arrested some 50,000 suspected gang members since President Nayib Bukele launched a "war" in March on criminal groups terrorizing the country, the head of the country's police force announced Tuesday.

El Salvador has arrested some 50,000 suspected gang members since President Nayib Bukele launched a "war" in March on criminal groups terrorizing the country, the head of the country's police force announced Tuesday. "We can inform the Salvadoran people that we have already reached 50,000 recorded detentions during the period of the emergency regime," said Mauricio Arriaza, director of the National Civil Police. Arriaza, as well as Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro and Defense Minister Rene Merino appeared Tuesday at parliament to request an extension of the emergency powers, which have done away with the need for arrest warrants. Also read | El Salvador's Bukele seeks emergency powers over spike in gang killings They were first enacted in March and have been prolonged by the legislature on a month-by-month basis ever since. The 84-seat unicameral assembly agreed Tuesday night to grant the government's newest request to maintain the decree, with 66 members voting in favor of an extension through mid-September. The small Central American country has also increased sentences for gang membership five-fold, to up to 45 years. To house part of the detainees, Bukele ordered the construction of a gigantic prison for 40,000 gang members in a rural area of the city of Tecoluca, in the center of the country, which should be ready before the end of the year. "The results of the emergency regime have been overwhelming, we have had a strong impact on these terrorist structures," Villatoro said Tuesday in his report on the gang crackdowns. Almost 69 percent of the detainees are accused of belonging to the notorious Mara Salvatrucha gang -- also known as MS-13 -- followed by the Surenos faction of the Barrio 18 gang (17.7 per cent) and the Revolucionarios faction of the same group (12.7 per cent). Rights groups have denounced the arbitrary arrest of many people, including minors, with no gang links. Also read | El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele promotes bitcoin adoption by emerging countries In different operations, the police and the army have seized more than a million dollars, in addition to 1,283 weapons. More than 1,500 vehicles, as well as drugs and cell phones, have also been seized. The wave of detentions is unprecedented in the country of 6.5 million people, who have suffered decades of violent crime driven by powerful gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18. These gangs count some 70,000 members, most of them now behind bars, according to the authorities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Arrest tally in El Salvador gang crackdown reaches 50,000

At least 50 civilians were killed by armed men in a rural district of northern Burkina Faso close to the border with Nigeria, this is one of the bloodiest clashes since the military coup in January.

Armed men kill over 50 in Burkina Faso, no group has claimed responsibility

The Jammu and Kashmir government transferred 177 Kashmiri Pandit teachers from various districts of the Valley to Srinagar city. The decision was taken after the recent target killings in the Kashmir Valley in which Kashmiri Pandits, Non-Locals and locals were targeted. The Education department of Kashmir has made the list of 177 Kashmir Pandit teachers public which is being seen as a security concern as the list has names of all the Kashmiri Pandit teachers and also the schools to which they are transferred. &nbsp;

The political parties in the valley have questioned the government and the officials responsible for making the list public. The BJP leader Altaf Thakur said that making the transfer list public on social platforms is a big security breach as terrorists now have a clear idea of who is posted where. The government must take strong note of it and find out who is making the fresh transfer list of migrant Kashmiri Pandits public at a time when targeted killings are taking place in the Valley, '' said BJP JK spokesman Altaf Thakur.&nbsp;

BJP said that the government was taking serious steps for the protection of Kashmiri Pandits, but some officials are playing spoilsport. He also urged officers not to make the transfer list of the Kashmiri Pandits public given its sensitivity. Local parties like National Conference and PDP have also reacted to the issue.&nbsp;

''It's a concern and it needs to be looked into. The community has been living here for years and a lot of work was done to bring them back. It should not go to waste. Our party also worked a lot on it and it's sad to see what is happening now. '' Ali Mohammad Sagar, NC Leader and Former Law Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

The PDP says it is to put the lives of these people at risk by making the list public and sharing it on WhatsApp group. ''There is no one to question this government. Popular governments are answerable. On one side they are talking about security and on the other, they are making the list public and sharing it on WhatsApp groups. It's a concern and should not have been made public like this. It's not right, God knows who guides these people at the helm.'' Harbakhsh Singh, PDP Leader.&nbsp;

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The Jammu and Kashmir government transferred 177 Kashmiri Pandit teachers from various districts of the Valley to Srinagar city. The decision was taken after the recent target killings in the Kashmir Valley in which Kashmiri Pandits, Non-Locals and locals were targeted.

The Jammu and Kashmir government transferred 177 Kashmiri Pandit teachers from various districts of the Valley to Srinagar city. The decision was taken after the recent target killings in the Kashmir Valley in which Kashmiri Pandits, Non-Locals and locals were targeted. The Education department of Kashmir has made the list of 177 Kashmir Pandit teachers public which is being seen as a security concern as the list has names of all the Kashmiri Pandit teachers and also the schools to which they are transferred. The political parties in the valley have questioned the government and the officials responsible for making the list public. The BJP leader Altaf Thakur said that making the transfer list public on social platforms is a big security breach as terrorists now have a clear idea of who is posted where. The government must take strong note of it and find out who is making the fresh transfer list of migrant Kashmiri Pandits public at a time when targeted killings are taking place in the Valley, '' said BJP JK spokesman Altaf Thakur. BJP said that the government was taking serious steps for the protection of Kashmiri Pandits, but some officials are playing spoilsport. He also urged officers not to make the transfer list of the Kashmiri Pandits public given its sensitivity. Local parties like National Conference and PDP have also reacted to the issue. ''It's a concern and it needs to be looked into. The community has been living here for years and a lot of work was done to bring them back. It should not go to waste. Our party also worked a lot on it and it's sad to see what is happening now. '' Ali Mohammad Sagar, NC Leader and Former Law Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The PDP says it is to put the lives of these people at risk by making the list public and sharing it on WhatsApp group. ''There is no one to question this government. Popular governments are answerable. On one side they are talking about security and on the other, they are making the list public and sharing it on WhatsApp groups. It's a concern and should not have been made public like this. It's not right, God knows who guides these people at the helm.'' Harbakhsh Singh, PDP Leader. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

List of 177 Kashmiri Pandit teachers transferred by the government made public

The fallout continues over Ukraine's allegations that Russian forces ruthlessly killed civilians in Bucha. Ukrainian president Zelensky visited the town located just 37 kilometers from the capital, the president walked through the streets littered with military vehicles.

Bucha killings create shockwaves: Zelensky vows 'every Russian will learn the truth'

Saying she saw with her own eyes her two daughters killed by the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;military, Rahima Khatun is hopeful the US designation of the 2017 onslaught against the&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;as "genocide" will bring some justice.

The girls, thrown into a burning house as their village was razed to the ground, were among thousands of victims of a brutal crackdown against&nbsp;Myanmar's long-marginalised Muslim minority.

Myanmar's junta denies the allegations and the case is currently being heard at the United Nations' highest court at The Hague, but the US declaration has provided hope for justice among many&nbsp;Rohingya.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-military-junta-categorically-rejects-us-allegation-of-rohingya-genocide-464692">Myanmar military junta 'categorically rejects' US allegation of Rohingya genocide</a>

"The&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;military slaughtered and raped women. One day they came and threw our children alive into the fire. My two daughters were among them," said Khatun, 52, tears rolling down her cheeks at a refugee camp in&nbsp;Bangladesh.

The crackdown prompted an exodus of about 740,000 people into&nbsp;Bangladesh, joining more than 100,000 others who had fled earlier waves of violence.

They live in a vast network of squalid camps made up of bamboo shacks, refusing to return home until&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;ensures the rights of the&nbsp;Rohingya.

Washington said this week there was clear evidence of an attempt at the "destruction" of the minority group.

Community leaders in the camps, activists and victims told AFP that the US move would bring&nbsp;Myanmar's military to account and -- perhaps -- allow them to go back and rebuild their villages and lives across the border.

"We have been waiting for a long time for this day. The US is the world's most powerful nation. Their&nbsp;decision&nbsp;will reverberate across the world. Maybe we'll get justice soon," local leader Sayed Ullah told AFP.

Ullah, 33, who heads a&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;rights group in the camps, also lost several relatives and dozens of fellow villagers during the 2017 offensive.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-armenia-to-myanmar-accusations-of-genocide-in-the-past-464634">From Armenia to Myanmar: Accusations of genocide in the past</a>

Young&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;activist Sawyeddollah, 23, said news of the US&nbsp;decision&nbsp;spread like wildfire through the settlements, with people sharing video of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's speech&nbsp;on&nbsp;cellphones.

"I hope the Biden administration will create a quick tribunal to go for action to implement their&nbsp;decision," Sawyeddollah said.

"America didn't say anything all these years. But yesterday's&nbsp;decision&nbsp;made all of us very happy," said Robi Ullah, 45, another refugee.

Siraj Ullah, 65, said he offered prayers to God to express gratitude to the United States.&nbsp;

"I hope they (the US) can ensure our repatriation as early as possible. If we get all of our rights back we are agreed to go back to our homeland instantly," Ullah told AFP.

No genocidal intent

Myanmar's junta&nbsp;on&nbsp;Tuesday said it "categorically rejects" the US declaration.

"Myanmar&nbsp;has never engaged in any genocidal actions and does not have any genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, racial or religious group or any other group," it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-determines-myanmar-army-committed-genocide-against-rohingya-464174">United States determines Myanmar army committed genocide against Rohingya</a>

Bangladesh, which has borne the brunt of sheltering the refugees, called the US&nbsp;decision&nbsp;overdue but still "good news", and said it would strengthen the case against&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;at the International Court of Justice.

"I believe, hopefully after the statement of the US Secretary of State, they (Washington) will also put more pressure&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;government so that they take back their people as they have already promised,"&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen said.

He added however that&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;was continuing to stall repatriation efforts, most recently by issuing a list of 700&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;who could return which he said was "defective" and likely to be rejected by the&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;community.

"The way the list is prepared, it feels like it lacks goodwill and smacks of ulterior motives," he said.

Mohammad Zafar, another&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;community leader in Kutupalong, the biggest of the refugee camps -- and the largest in the world -- played down the prospect of returning home any time soon.

"I highly doubt whether it will bring any change to our fate. We are literally stranded in a foreign land for years, barely surviving," he said.

"The damage has been done to us. Nothing can compensate unless there are visible actions," Zafar told AFP.

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya, says US. But what is genocide?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-committed-genocide-against-rohingya-says-us-but-what-is-genocide-464662/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Saying she saw with her own eyes her two daughters killed by the Myanmar military, Rahima Khatun is hopeful the US designation of the 2017 onslaught against the Rohingya as "genocide" will bring some justice.

Saying she saw with her own eyes her two daughters killed by the Myanmar military, Rahima Khatun is hopeful the US designation of the 2017 onslaught against the Rohingya as "genocide" will bring some justice. The girls, thrown into a burning house as their village was razed to the ground, were among thousands of victims of a brutal crackdown against Myanmar's long-marginalised Muslim minority. Myanmar's junta denies the allegations and the case is currently being heard at the United Nations' highest court at The Hague, but the US declaration has provided hope for justice among many Rohingya. Also read | Myanmar military junta 'categorically rejects' US allegation of Rohingya genocide "The Myanmar military slaughtered and raped women. One day they came and threw our children alive into the fire. My two daughters were among them," said Khatun, 52, tears rolling down her cheeks at a refugee camp in Bangladesh. The crackdown prompted an exodus of about 740,000 people into Bangladesh, joining more than 100,000 others who had fled earlier waves of violence. They live in a vast network of squalid camps made up of bamboo shacks, refusing to return home until Myanmar ensures the rights of the Rohingya. Washington said this week there was clear evidence of an attempt at the "destruction" of the minority group. Community leaders in the camps, activists and victims told AFP that the US move would bring Myanmar's military to account and -- perhaps -- allow them to go back and rebuild their villages and lives across the border. "We have been waiting for a long time for this day. The US is the world's most powerful nation. Their decision will reverberate across the world. Maybe we'll get justice soon," local leader Sayed Ullah told AFP. Ullah, 33, who heads a Rohingya rights group in the camps, also lost several relatives and dozens of fellow villagers during the 2017 offensive. Also read | From Armenia to Myanmar: Accusations of genocide in the past Young Rohingya activist Sawyeddollah, 23, said news of the US decision spread like wildfire through the settlements, with people sharing video of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's speech on cellphones. "I hope the Biden administration will create a quick tribunal to go for action to implement their decision," Sawyeddollah said. "America didn't say anything all these years. But yesterday's decision made all of us very happy," said Robi Ullah, 45, another refugee. Siraj Ullah, 65, said he offered prayers to God to express gratitude to the United States. "I hope they (the US) can ensure our repatriation as early as possible. If we get all of our rights back we are agreed to go back to our homeland instantly," Ullah told AFP. No genocidal intent Myanmar's junta on Tuesday said it "categorically rejects" the US declaration. "Myanmar has never engaged in any genocidal actions and does not have any genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, racial or religious group or any other group," it said. Also read | United States determines Myanmar army committed genocide against Rohingya Bangladesh, which has borne the brunt of sheltering the refugees, called the US decision overdue but still "good news", and said it would strengthen the case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. "I believe, hopefully after the statement of the US Secretary of State, they (Washington) will also put more pressure on the Myanmar government so that they take back their people as they have already promised," Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen said. He added however that Myanmar was continuing to stall repatriation efforts, most recently by issuing a list of 700 Rohingya who could return which he said was "defective" and likely to be rejected by the Rohingya community. "The way the list is prepared, it feels like it lacks goodwill and smacks of ulterior motives," he said. Mohammad Zafar, another Rohingya community leader in Kutupalong, the biggest of the refugee camps -- and the largest in the world -- played down the prospect of returning home any time soon. "I highly doubt whether it will bring any change to our fate. We are literally stranded in a foreign land for years, barely surviving," he said. "The damage has been done to us. Nothing can compensate unless there are visible actions," Zafar told AFP. Watch | Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya, says US. But what is genocide?

Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide'

Ethiopia&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday vowed to investigate and take action against uniformed soldiers and others seen in a&nbsp;gruesome&nbsp;video&nbsp;burning a&nbsp;man&nbsp;alive in the country's northwest.

The widely shared&nbsp;video, which and sparked outrage&nbsp;on&nbsp;social media late Friday, shows an unarmed&nbsp;man&nbsp;being set&nbsp;on&nbsp;fire&nbsp;as a group of people, including some wearing Ethiopian army uniforms, taunt him in Amharic.

Ethiopia's government communications service said&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday that the incident appeared to have occurred in the northwestern region of Benishangul Gumuz, which borders Sudan and South Sudan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-turns-on-the-turbines-at-giant-nile-hydropower-plant-454780">Ethiopia turns on the turbines at giant Nile hydropower plant</a>

"The&nbsp;video&nbsp;of the extremely savage act being circulated&nbsp;on&nbsp;social media outlets shows innocents being burned alive," it said in a statement, vowing to "investigate and take legal measures&nbsp;on&nbsp;those...who committed this inhumane, and savage act."

The&nbsp;video&nbsp;could not be independently verified by AFP and it was not immediately clear if the atrocity was connected to the ongoing 16-month war in northern&nbsp;Ethiopia.

The conflict in Africa's second most populous country between government forces and Tigrayan rebels has killed thousands of people, with widespread reports of atrocities including mass killings and sexual violence.

According to the UN, the fighting has also displaced more than two million people, driven hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation and left more than nine million in need of assistance.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-40-of-tigrayans-face-extreme-lack-of-food-world-food-programme-448980">&nbsp;Nearly 40% of Tigrayans face 'extreme lack of food': World Food Programme</a>

At least 750 civilians were killed or executed in the northern regions of Amhara and Afar after they became caught up in the war last year, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said Friday.

The state-affiliated independent rights body also catalogued a litany of abuses, including torture and gang rape and enforced disappearances, saying some may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.&nbsp;

The report said that Tigrayan rebels sexually assaulted girls and elderly women. It also accused federal and local security forces in Amhara and Afar of widespread arbitrary detentions.

Watch |&nbsp;Ethiopia: UN report on horrific accounts of rape and torture in Tigray region

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ethiopia-un-report-on-horrific-accounts-of-rape-and-torture-in-tigray-region-452638/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A joint investigation by the UN and the EHRC published last November detailed a vast array of rights abuses, mostly blamed&nbsp;on&nbsp;Ethiopian forces and Eritrean troops, who provided military support to Addis Ababa.

Last week, the UN Human Rights Council announced that Fatou Bensouda, a former chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC), would head a UN investigation&nbsp;into&nbsp;a wide range of alleged violations committed by all sides in the war.

Ethiopia on Saturday vowed to investigate and take action against uniformed soldiers and others seen in a gruesome video burning a man alive in the country's northwest.

Ethiopia on Saturday vowed to investigate and take action against uniformed soldiers and others seen in a gruesome video burning a man alive in the country's northwest. The widely shared video, which and sparked outrage on social media late Friday, shows an unarmed man being set on fire as a group of people, including some wearing Ethiopian army uniforms, taunt him in Amharic. Ethiopia's government communications service said on Saturday that the incident appeared to have occurred in the northwestern region of Benishangul Gumuz, which borders Sudan and South Sudan. Also read | Ethiopia turns on the turbines at giant Nile hydropower plant "The video of the extremely savage act being circulated on social media outlets shows innocents being burned alive," it said in a statement, vowing to "investigate and take legal measures on those...who committed this inhumane, and savage act." The video could not be independently verified by AFP and it was not immediately clear if the atrocity was connected to the ongoing 16-month war in northern Ethiopia. The conflict in Africa's second most populous country between government forces and Tigrayan rebels has killed thousands of people, with widespread reports of atrocities including mass killings and sexual violence. According to the UN, the fighting has also displaced more than two million people, driven hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation and left more than nine million in need of assistance. Also read | Nearly 40% of Tigrayans face 'extreme lack of food': World Food Programme At least 750 civilians were killed or executed in the northern regions of Amhara and Afar after they became caught up in the war last year, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said Friday. The state-affiliated independent rights body also catalogued a litany of abuses, including torture and gang rape and enforced disappearances, saying some may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report said that Tigrayan rebels sexually assaulted girls and elderly women. It also accused federal and local security forces in Amhara and Afar of widespread arbitrary detentions. Watch | Ethiopia: UN report on horrific accounts of rape and torture in Tigray region A joint investigation by the UN and the EHRC published last November detailed a vast array of rights abuses, mostly blamed on Ethiopian forces and Eritrean troops, who provided military support to Addis Ababa. Last week, the UN Human Rights Council announced that Fatou Bensouda, a former chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC), would head a UN investigation into a wide range of alleged violations committed by all sides in the war.

Ethiopia vows probe into gruesome video of man on fire

Kazakhstan has been dominating headlines for days as dozens have been reported dead in the protests. Russian troopers have been sent in to help quell the unrest for now. The president has rejected any talks with the protesters he says that he has given orders to shoot, to kill without any warning.

Kazakh President vows to destroy 'Bandits', orders forces to shoot without warning

After Taliban took over Afghanistan, over 100 extrajudicial killings have been carried out allegedly in the country, the UN said on Tuesday. Most of these killings seem to have been done by the Taliban. &nbsp;

Despite a general amnesty declared by the Taliban rulers, United Nations deputy rights chief Nada Al-Nashif said that she was deeply alarmed over reports of such killings. &nbsp;

"Between August and November, we received credible allegations of more than 100 killings of former Afghan National Security Forces and others associated with the former government," Al-Nashif told the UN Human Rights Council. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-economic-collapse-is-happening-before-our-eyes-un-435781" hreflang="en">Afghanistan's economic collapse is happening 'before our eyes': UN</a>

"At least 72 of these killings were attributed to the Taliban. In several cases, the bodies were publicly displayed. This has exacerbated fear among this sizeable category of the population," she said. &nbsp;

Al-Nashif made the remarks while presenting updates to the council on Tuesday on behalf of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet. &nbsp;

Several members of the Islamic State-Khorasan group, which is a main Taliban adversary, had also met same fate, said Al-Nashif. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-health-system-on-verge-of-collapse-and-it-is-getting-worse-experts-436745" hreflang="en">Afghan's health system on verge of collapse, and it is getting worse: Experts</a>

The comments of the United Nations deputy rights chief came after several countries condemned the Taliban when a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report came up earlier this month, which had documented 47 summary executions. &nbsp;

The HRW report and other claims of extrajudicial killings were rejected by Taliban spokesman Qari Sayed Khosti as "not based on evidences." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After Taliban took over Afghanistan, over 100 extrajudicial killings have been carried out allegedly in the country, the UN said on Tuesday. Most of these killings seem to have been done by the Taliban.

After Taliban took over Afghanistan, over 100 extrajudicial killings have been carried out allegedly in the country, the UN said on Tuesday. Most of these killings seem to have been done by the Taliban. Despite a general amnesty declared by the Taliban rulers, United Nations deputy rights chief Nada Al-Nashif said that she was deeply alarmed over reports of such killings. "Between August and November, we received credible allegations of more than 100 killings of former Afghan National Security Forces and others associated with the former government," Al-Nashif told the UN Human Rights Council. Also Read | Afghanistan's economic collapse is happening 'before our eyes': UN "At least 72 of these killings were attributed to the Taliban. In several cases, the bodies were publicly displayed. This has exacerbated fear among this sizeable category of the population," she said. Al-Nashif made the remarks while presenting updates to the council on Tuesday on behalf of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet. Several members of the Islamic State-Khorasan group, which is a main Taliban adversary, had also met same fate, said Al-Nashif. Also Read | Afghan's health system on verge of collapse, and it is getting worse: Experts The comments of the United Nations deputy rights chief came after several countries condemned the Taliban when a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report came up earlier this month, which had documented 47 summary executions. The HRW report and other claims of extrajudicial killings were rejected by Taliban spokesman Qari Sayed Khosti as "not based on evidences." (With inputs from agencies)

After Taliban takeover, over 100 extrajudicial killings held in Afghanistan, says UN

13 terrorists have been killed in 9 encounters in Kashmir Valley in the last ten days. The Jammu and Kashmir Police claims to have killed 3 out of 5 terrorists from Srinagar city.&nbsp;

This comes after 7 civilian killings in the Kashmir valley recently.&nbsp;

The security was put on high alert after the recent civilian killings across the Kashmir Valley. Various search operations were carried out by the Police, Army and Paramilitary forces across the valley, which further led to encounters.

"13 terrorists have been killed in 9 encounters after civilian killings. We have neutralised 3 out of 5 terrorists of Srinagar City within less than 24 hours,'' said Vijay Kumar, IG Kashmir Police.&nbsp;

Earlier today, two terrorists including a LeT commander was killed in a gunfight in the Pampore area of Awantipora.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-security-forces-detain-over-700-terrorist-sympathisers-after-civilian-killings-419785">Also read |&nbsp;J&amp;K: Security forces detain over 700 ‘terrorist sympathisers’ after civilian killings</a>

Police had an idea about the presence of these two terrorists in the area after which a search operation was launched.&nbsp;

Police said that they also gave them an option of surrender but they denied it.&nbsp;

"We offered them to surrender but they kept firing, triggering an encounter. They were trapped in a three-storey building, which is a concrete one. We fired grenades and the building caught fire. One of the slain militants has been identified as Umar Khanday of LeT and the other has been identified as Muhammad Sultan, who was the LeT commander .”

Police said that Umar Khanday was involved in the killing of two policemen in the Baghat area of Srinagar. Security is still on high alert across the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp;

13 terrorists have been killed in 9 encounters in Kashmir Valley in the last ten days. The Jammu and Kashmir Police claims to have killed 3 out of 5 terrorists from Srinagar city.

13 terrorists have been killed in 9 encounters in Kashmir Valley in the last ten days. The Jammu and Kashmir Police claims to have killed 3 out of 5 terrorists from Srinagar city. This comes after 7 civilian killings in the Kashmir valley recently. The security was put on high alert after the recent civilian killings across the Kashmir Valley. Various search operations were carried out by the Police, Army and Paramilitary forces across the valley, which further led to encounters. "13 terrorists have been killed in 9 encounters after civilian killings. We have neutralised 3 out of 5 terrorists of Srinagar City within less than 24 hours,'' said Vijay Kumar, IG Kashmir Police. Earlier today, two terrorists including a LeT commander was killed in a gunfight in the Pampore area of Awantipora. Also read | J&K: Security forces detain over 700 ‘terrorist sympathisers’ after civilian killings Police had an idea about the presence of these two terrorists in the area after which a search operation was launched. Police said that they also gave them an option of surrender but they denied it. "We offered them to surrender but they kept firing, triggering an encounter. They were trapped in a three-storey building, which is a concrete one. We fired grenades and the building caught fire. One of the slain militants has been identified as Umar Khanday of LeT and the other has been identified as Muhammad Sultan, who was the LeT commander .” Police said that Umar Khanday was involved in the killing of two policemen in the Baghat area of Srinagar. Security is still on high alert across the Kashmir Valley.

J&K: 13 terrorists killed in 9 encounters after civilian killings

An Italian&nbsp;judge&nbsp;murdered by the&nbsp;mafia&nbsp;in Sicily&nbsp;takes&nbsp;a&nbsp;step&nbsp;towards&nbsp;sainthood&nbsp;Sunday, almost three decades after being declared a martyr by pope John Paul II.

The beatification of Rosario Livatino will take place in the cathedral in Agrigento, the&nbsp;Sicilian&nbsp;town near where he was gunned down aged 38 on September 21, 1990.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Pope facilitates Vatican prosecutions for cardinals, bishops">Pope facilitates Vatican prosecutions for cardinals, bishops</a>

In a preface to a new book about the&nbsp;judge, Pope Francis hailed him as a "righteous man who knew he did not deserve that unjust death".

Livatino, who prayed in church every day before going to court, had been involved in a mass trial against mafioso and was about to launch a new case when he died.

He was found in a ditch by the roadside a few miles from his home. He had refused armed protection.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="2 American students handed life sentences in Italy for cop's murder">2 American students handed life sentences in Italy for cop's murder</a>

Many of his notes were later found to be marked STD, for "sub tutela Dei", a Latin invocation meaning "under the protection of God" which judges of the Middle Ages used before taking official decisions.

The notes also showed he asked God's forgiveness for the risks his work exposed his parents to, once he learned that the bosses of the Cosa Nostra had him in their sights.

When John Paul II visited Livatino's parents in 1993, he said the&nbsp;judge&nbsp;was "a martyr for justice and indirectly for the faith".

Under Church law, if martyrdom is established, then beatification -- the penultimate accolade before canonisation -- moves ahead quickly without the proof of miracles required of other candidates for&nbsp;sainthood.

The two&nbsp;mafia&nbsp;members who&nbsp;killed&nbsp;Livatino, identified by a man who drove past at the moment of the crime, were given life sentences.

Livatino was one of the first investigating magistrates in Italy who moved to seize assets belonging to the&nbsp;mafia, according to Luigi Ciotti, a priest known for his own fight against organised crime.

"He understood that would lead to a weakening of the clans, their loss of control and also of social control," Ciotti wrote in another biography of the murdered&nbsp;judge.

Today, a cooperative of young people bears Livatino's name and cultivates land confiscated from the&nbsp;Sicilian&nbsp;mafia.

Less than two years after Livatino's death, anti-mafia&nbsp;prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino were also murdered by the&nbsp;mob.

Since he was elected pope in 2013, Francis has spoken out repeatedly against organised crime groups.

In an open-air mass in Sicily in September 2018, during a trip to honour a priest&nbsp;killed&nbsp;by the&nbsp;mafia&nbsp;25 years earlier, the Argentine pontiff condemned those who belong to the&nbsp;mafia&nbsp;as "blasphemous".

"You can't believe in God and belong to the&nbsp;mafia," he said.

His impassioned plea echoed the words of Jean Paul II who, during his May 1993 trip to the island, had also called on mobsters to abandon crime, and urged Sicilians to revolt against the&nbsp;mafia.

An Italian judge murdered by the mafia in Sicily takes a step towards sainthood Sunday, almost three decades after being declared a martyr by pope John Paul II. The beatification of Rosario Livatino will take place in the cathedral in Agrigento, the Sicilian town near where he was gunned down aged 38 on September 21, 1990.

An Italian judge murdered by the mafia in Sicily takes a step towards sainthood Sunday, almost three decades after being declared a martyr by pope John Paul II. The beatification of Rosario Livatino will take place in the cathedral in Agrigento, the Sicilian town near where he was gunned down aged 38 on September 21, 1990. Also read | Pope facilitates Vatican prosecutions for cardinals, bishops In a preface to a new book about the judge, Pope Francis hailed him as a "righteous man who knew he did not deserve that unjust death". Livatino, who prayed in church every day before going to court, had been involved in a mass trial against mafioso and was about to launch a new case when he died. He was found in a ditch by the roadside a few miles from his home. He had refused armed protection. Also read | 2 American students handed life sentences in Italy for cop's murder Many of his notes were later found to be marked STD, for "sub tutela Dei", a Latin invocation meaning "under the protection of God" which judges of the Middle Ages used before taking official decisions. The notes also showed he asked God's forgiveness for the risks his work exposed his parents to, once he learned that the bosses of the Cosa Nostra had him in their sights. When John Paul II visited Livatino's parents in 1993, he said the judge was "a martyr for justice and indirectly for the faith". Under Church law, if martyrdom is established, then beatification -- the penultimate accolade before canonisation -- moves ahead quickly without the proof of miracles required of other candidates for sainthood. The two mafia members who killed Livatino, identified by a man who drove past at the moment of the crime, were given life sentences. Livatino was one of the first investigating magistrates in Italy who moved to seize assets belonging to the mafia, according to Luigi Ciotti, a priest known for his own fight against organised crime. "He understood that would lead to a weakening of the clans, their loss of control and also of social control," Ciotti wrote in another biography of the murdered judge. Today, a cooperative of young people bears Livatino's name and cultivates land confiscated from the Sicilian mafia. Less than two years after Livatino's death, anti-mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino were also murdered by the mob. Since he was elected pope in 2013, Francis has spoken out repeatedly against organised crime groups. In an open-air mass in Sicily in September 2018, during a trip to honour a priest killed by the mafia 25 years earlier, the Argentine pontiff condemned those who belong to the mafia as "blasphemous". "You can't believe in God and belong to the mafia," he said. His impassioned plea echoed the words of Jean Paul II who, during his May 1993 trip to the island, had also called on mobsters to abandon crime, and urged Sicilians to revolt against the mafia.

Sicilian judge killed by mafia takes step to sainthood

Around 30,000 protesters took to the streets during&nbsp;May&nbsp;Day&nbsp;rallies in Berlin on Saturday, police said, adding nearly 100 officers were injured when some of the demonstrations turned violent.

Police made around 354 arrests during the demonstrations, which they said were for physical assaults and trespassing.

"The violent&nbsp;riots&nbsp;that occurred is something that I very much regret," Berlin's head of police Barbara Slowik told local broadcaster rbb24.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="May Day: Morris Dancers turn blue over racism concerns">May Day: Morris Dancers turn blue over racism concerns</a>

Some of the injuries occurred after some demonstrators threw fireworks, bottles and rocks during protests over social inequality. About 5,600 police were deployed, and some responded with pepper spray.

The demonstrations were the second&nbsp;May&nbsp;Day&nbsp;protests since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Turnout was much higher than last year, even though social distancing requirements remain in place.

Protests hit other European capitals too, most notably Paris, where police made 46 arrests as garbage bins were set on fire and the windows of a bank branch were smashed.

In Berlin, police used water cannon to extinguish fires as protesters set ablaze waste bins, barricades and cars.

Demonstrations also took place in several other German cities, including Hamburg and Leipzig, despite Europe's largest economy grappling with a third wave of the pandemic.

On Sunday, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 16,290 to 3,416,822.

Around 30,000 protesters took to the streets during May Day rallies in Berlin on Saturday, police said, adding nearly 100 officers were injured when some of the demonstrations turned violent.

Around 30,000 protesters took to the streets during May Day rallies in Berlin on Saturday, police said, adding nearly 100 officers were injured when some of the demonstrations turned violent. Police made around 354 arrests during the demonstrations, which they said were for physical assaults and trespassing. "The violent riots that occurred is something that I very much regret," Berlin's head of police Barbara Slowik told local broadcaster rbb24. Also read- May Day: Morris Dancers turn blue over racism concerns Some of the injuries occurred after some demonstrators threw fireworks, bottles and rocks during protests over social inequality. About 5,600 police were deployed, and some responded with pepper spray. The demonstrations were the second May Day protests since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Turnout was much higher than last year, even though social distancing requirements remain in place. Protests hit other European capitals too, most notably Paris, where police made 46 arrests as garbage bins were set on fire and the windows of a bank branch were smashed. In Berlin, police used water cannon to extinguish fires as protesters set ablaze waste bins, barricades and cars. Demonstrations also took place in several other German cities, including Hamburg and Leipzig, despite Europe's largest economy grappling with a third wave of the pandemic. On Sunday, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 16,290 to 3,416,822.

Police, protesters clash during May Day rallies in Berlin

French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute in a nationally televised ceremony on Friday to an administrative police worker stabbed to death last week at a police station, saying she was victim of "Islamist terrorism".

The killing of Stephanie Monferme, a 49-year-old mother of three, by a Tunisian national who was then shot dead by police was the latest in a string of Islamist-inspired attacks on French soil in recent years.

France faces a presidential election next year where issues such as militant Islam, immigration and violent crime are expected to dominate the agenda.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="France reports first cases of coronavirus variant first detected in India">France reports first cases of coronavirus variant first detected in India</a>

"Stephanie was murdered because she represented the French police and the authority of the state. She was murdered because she served France," Castex told a ceremony attended by top government and police officials.

"Islamist terrorism has declared war on us but it is a war led by cowards. Only a coward could attack a woman who, because of her job, did not carry a weapon," he said.

Castex ended the ceremony by posthumously awarding Monferme France's highest medal, the Chevalier de La Legion d'Honneur. A minute of silence was followed by the Marseillaise national anthem.

On Wednesday, draft legislation was submitted to President Emmanuel Macron's government to strengthen counter-terrorism laws by permitting the use of algorithms to detect activity on jihadist and other extremist websites.

The official investigation had shown that Stephanie Monferme's assailant had watched religious videos glorifying acts of jihad just before carrying out his attack on the police worker in the Paris commuter town of Rambouillet.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute in a nationally televised ceremony on Friday to an administrative police worker stabbed to death last week at a police station, saying she was victim of "Islamist terrorism".

French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute in a nationally televised ceremony on Friday to an administrative police worker stabbed to death last week at a police station, saying she was victim of "Islamist terrorism". The killing of Stephanie Monferme, a 49-year-old mother of three, by a Tunisian national who was then shot dead by police was the latest in a string of Islamist-inspired attacks on French soil in recent years. France faces a presidential election next year where issues such as militant Islam, immigration and violent crime are expected to dominate the agenda. Also read | France reports first cases of coronavirus variant first detected in India "Stephanie was murdered because she represented the French police and the authority of the state. She was murdered because she served France," Castex told a ceremony attended by top government and police officials. "Islamist terrorism has declared war on us but it is a war led by cowards. Only a coward could attack a woman who, because of her job, did not carry a weapon," he said. Castex ended the ceremony by posthumously awarding Monferme France's highest medal, the Chevalier de La Legion d'Honneur. A minute of silence was followed by the Marseillaise national anthem. On Wednesday, draft legislation was submitted to President Emmanuel Macron's government to strengthen counter-terrorism laws by permitting the use of algorithms to detect activity on jihadist and other extremist websites. The official investigation had shown that Stephanie Monferme's assailant had watched religious videos glorifying acts of jihad just before carrying out his attack on the police worker in the Paris commuter town of Rambouillet.

France pays tribute to woman police worker stabbed to death in Islamist-inspired attack

Even as the Derek Chauvin case was fresh in memory, the reading of the verdict in a Minneapolis courtroom, the shackling of the former police officer, the jubilation at what many saw as justice in the death of George Floyd, even then, blood flowed on America's streets.&nbsp;

And even then, some of that blood was shed at the hands of law enforcement.&nbsp;

At least six people were fatally shot by officers across the United States in the 24 hours after jurors reached a verdict in the murder case against Chauvin on Tuesday. The roll call of the dead is distressing: A 16-year-old girl in Columbus, Ohio. An oft-arrested man in Escondido, California. And a 42-year-old man in eastern North Carolina.&nbsp;

The deaths, in some cases, sparked new cries for justice. Some said they reflect an urgent need for radical changes to American policing, a need that the Chauvin verdict cannot bring over. For others, the shootings are a tragic reminder of the difficult and dangerous decisions law enforcement face daily.&nbsp;

An unidentified man in San Antonio. Another man, killed in the same city within hours of the first. And a 31-year-old man in central Massachusetts.&nbsp;

The circumstances surrounding each death differ widely. Some happened while officers investigated serious crimes. Police say some of the people were armed with a gun, knife or a metal pole. One man claimed to have a bomb that he threatened to detonate. In several cases, little is known about the lives of those killed and what happened in their final moments.&nbsp;

The deadly encounters are only a small snapshot of the thousands of interactions between American police officers and civilians every day, most of which end safely. Uneventful encounters between the police and the populace, however, are not an issue.&nbsp;

It's a very different story when a weapon is drawn and a life is ended.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even as the Derek Chauvin case was fresh in memory, the reading of the verdict in a Minneapolis courtroom, the shackling of the former police officer, the jubilation at what many saw as justice in the death of George Floyd, even then, blood flowed on America's streets.

Even as the Derek Chauvin case was fresh in memory, the reading of the verdict in a Minneapolis courtroom, the shackling of the former police officer, the jubilation at what many saw as justice in the death of George Floyd, even then, blood flowed on America's streets. And even then, some of that blood was shed at the hands of law enforcement. At least six people were fatally shot by officers across the United States in the 24 hours after jurors reached a verdict in the murder case against Chauvin on Tuesday. The roll call of the dead is distressing: A 16-year-old girl in Columbus, Ohio. An oft-arrested man in Escondido, California. And a 42-year-old man in eastern North Carolina. The deaths, in some cases, sparked new cries for justice. Some said they reflect an urgent need for radical changes to American policing, a need that the Chauvin verdict cannot bring over. For others, the shootings are a tragic reminder of the difficult and dangerous decisions law enforcement face daily. An unidentified man in San Antonio. Another man, killed in the same city within hours of the first. And a 31-year-old man in central Massachusetts. The circumstances surrounding each death differ widely. Some happened while officers investigated serious crimes. Police say some of the people were armed with a gun, knife or a metal pole. One man claimed to have a bomb that he threatened to detonate. In several cases, little is known about the lives of those killed and what happened in their final moments. The deadly encounters are only a small snapshot of the thousands of interactions between American police officers and civilians every day, most of which end safely. Uneventful encounters between the police and the populace, however, are not an issue. It's a very different story when a weapon is drawn and a life is ended. (With inputs from agencies)

One verdict, then six police killings across America in 24 hours 

Bombs hit a shelter for displaced people in Libya's capital Tripoli, killing at least seven and wounding at least 17 people.

This was the latest attack on civilians in the fighting over Tripoli between eastern-based forces under military commander Khalifa Hifter and an array of militias loosely allied with the UN-supported but weak government in the capital. The ambulance services did not say which side was responsible for the shelling.

The fatalities included a 5-year-old child from Bangladesh, health authorities said on Sunday.

Libya has been in turmoil since 2011, when a civil war toppled and later killed long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The country has since split between rival administrations in the east and the west, each backed by armed groups and foreign countries.

In recent weeks, the fighting has intensified as foreign backers of the two sides stepped up their military support. The self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces are backed by France and Russia, as well as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries.

The Tripoli-allied militias are aided by Turkey, which deployed troops and mercenaries to help shore up their allies earlier this year, as well as by Italy and Qatar.

Bombs hit a shelter for displaced people in Libya's capital Tripoli, killing at least seven and wounding at least 17 people. This was the latest attack on civilians in the fighting over Tripoli between eastern-based forces under military commander Khalifa Hifter and an array of militias loosely allied with the UN-supported but weak government in the capital.

Bombs hit a shelter for displaced people in Libya's capital Tripoli, killing at least seven and wounding at least 17 people. This was the latest attack on civilians in the fighting over Tripoli between eastern-based forces under military commander Khalifa Hifter and an array of militias loosely allied with the UN-supported but weak government in the capital. The ambulance services did not say which side was responsible for the shelling. The fatalities included a 5-year-old child from Bangladesh, health authorities said on Sunday. Libya has been in turmoil since 2011, when a civil war toppled and later killed long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The country has since split between rival administrations in the east and the west, each backed by armed groups and foreign countries. In recent weeks, the fighting has intensified as foreign backers of the two sides stepped up their military support. The self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces are backed by France and Russia, as well as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries. The Tripoli-allied militias are aided by Turkey, which deployed troops and mercenaries to help shore up their allies earlier this year, as well as by Italy and Qatar.

Bombs kill seven in shelter for displaced in Libya

Around 25 years back, Rwanda faced one of the most heinous killings which tore the country apart. The spasm of ethnic hatred is although hard for the genocide survivors to recall the time when their loved ones were consigned to unknown graves, yet they believe that forgiveness is the only way forward. They spoke to WION and shared their story of so far.&nbsp;

"I was four years old when genocide happened. Although I do not remember the complete picture, some of the gory images of history are hard for me to forget. I lost my parents just after three weeks of the genocide. It is very hard for me to see the guy alive who killed my parents. He asks me to forgive him. I forgive him now as I see a larger picture with my family who I want to learn from the past and fight for the nation", says Cedric Nsabimana (Rwanda genocide survivor).

While Anita Umuhire, eight years at the time of the genocide, lost more than 10 members of her family, recalls the time when she managed to escape.&nbsp;

"We were at home when it first started. Like many people, we did not understand the gravity of what was happening until my friends started dying and the killers broke into our home, trying to find if we had ties with the enemies. We started hiding behind the bushes and spent three weeks. A family priest came to help us escape and took us to his parish but it wasn’t safe for us because by then our family had been affiliated to ''the enemy'', but anyhow we managed to escape to Hotel des Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda). Hence, the escape was not so easy for us, Umuhire said.&nbsp;

At the time of the genocide which was sparked after the killing of then president, it took survivors long to rebuild their lives. But now the unity and togetherness give them hope for a better and safer future for their family to live in.&nbsp;

"My neighbours helped me in surviving when I was running on the streets. Now I see a completely different picture of Rwanda and the mentality of the people. We now do not see each other as any ethnic group but just as Rwandian. Those people who did genocide are now friends, family and neighbours. This is just because of forgiveness. Hence no matter what happens again with us, we should always remember that we are accountable to one another, says Cedric, who is now a father of an eight-month-old son.

While Umuhire, emphasises how better education and good leadership plays an important role for any country to develop it's fractured economy/stability and wants her child to dream big.&nbsp;

"Education is very important. It's the tool that opens up one's mind and allows them to use their own judgement and make good decisions. Our people were taught hate through bad leadership which resulted in the murder of millions and left so many wounded for life but through education, people are now able to make better judgement calls and realise that what unites us is bigger than what separates us", Umuhire added.

Both the survivors feel, they are proud of their country to which Victor Kgomoeswana, an author from Africa agrees and says, "Africa is the best run country by far. Evidence being its economy and political stability now."

"We commemorate every year not to revenge but to tell the world that Rwandian is accountable for each other and can find a solution to its all problems," added Kgomoeswana.

Around 25 years back, Rwanda faced one of the most heinous killings which tore the country apart. The spasm of ethnic hatred is although hard for the genocide survivors to recall the time when their loved ones were consigned to unknown graves, yet they believe that forgiveness is the only way forward.

Around 25 years back, Rwanda faced one of the most heinous killings which tore the country apart. The spasm of ethnic hatred is although hard for the genocide survivors to recall the time when their loved ones were consigned to unknown graves, yet they believe that forgiveness is the only way forward. They spoke to WION and shared their story of so far. "I was four years old when genocide happened. Although I do not remember the complete picture, some of the gory images of history are hard for me to forget. I lost my parents just after three weeks of the genocide. It is very hard for me to see the guy alive who killed my parents. He asks me to forgive him. I forgive him now as I see a larger picture with my family who I want to learn from the past and fight for the nation", says Cedric Nsabimana (Rwanda genocide survivor). While Anita Umuhire, eight years at the time of the genocide, lost more than 10 members of her family, recalls the time when she managed to escape. "We were at home when it first started. Like many people, we did not understand the gravity of what was happening until my friends started dying and the killers broke into our home, trying to find if we had ties with the enemies. We started hiding behind the bushes and spent three weeks. A family priest came to help us escape and took us to his parish but it wasn’t safe for us because by then our family had been affiliated to ''the enemy'', but anyhow we managed to escape to Hotel des Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda). Hence, the escape was not so easy for us, Umuhire said. At the time of the genocide which was sparked after the killing of then president, it took survivors long to rebuild their lives. But now the unity and togetherness give them hope for a better and safer future for their family to live in. "My neighbours helped me in surviving when I was running on the streets. Now I see a completely different picture of Rwanda and the mentality of the people. We now do not see each other as any ethnic group but just as Rwandian. Those people who did genocide are now friends, family and neighbours. This is just because of forgiveness. Hence no matter what happens again with us, we should always remember that we are accountable to one another, says Cedric, who is now a father of an eight-month-old son. While Umuhire, emphasises how better education and good leadership plays an important role for any country to develop it's fractured economy/stability and wants her child to dream big. "Education is very important. It's the tool that opens up one's mind and allows them to use their own judgement and make good decisions. Our people were taught hate through bad leadership which resulted in the murder of millions and left so many wounded for life but through education, people are now able to make better judgement calls and realise that what unites us is bigger than what separates us", Umuhire added. Both the survivors feel, they are proud of their country to which Victor Kgomoeswana, an author from Africa agrees and says, "Africa is the best run country by far. Evidence being its economy and political stability now." "We commemorate every year not to revenge but to tell the world that Rwandian is accountable for each other and can find a solution to its all problems," added Kgomoeswana.

Forgiveness is the only way forward for Rwanda genocide survivors

The Israeli troops&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;killed four Palestinians and wounded over 600 people.

Of 600, around 120 were injured from live fire and tear gas.

In their defence, Israelis said they were defending the frontier against crowds that threw stones and burned tyres in an attempt to cross.

It also claimed that Palestinian militants fired guns at its forces and threw grenades, as per Al Jazeera.

On May 15, the Great March of Return rallies culminated to mark the Nakba or Catastrophe.

It is the forced removal of 750,000 Palestinians from their homes to clear the way for Israel`s establishment in 1948.

In May, a large number of Palestinians gathered to protest on the Gaza Strip`s eastern border to commemorate the Nakba anniversary and protest the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Since&nbsp;March 30, Israeli forces have killed at least 124 Palestinians and wounded more than 13,000 people.&nbsp;

Of 600, around 120 were injured from live fire and tear gas

The Israeli troops on Friday killed four Palestinians and wounded over 600 people. Of 600, around 120 were injured from live fire and tear gas. In their defence, Israelis said they were defending the frontier against crowds that threw stones and burned tyres in an attempt to cross. It also claimed that Palestinian militants fired guns at its forces and threw grenades, as per Al Jazeera. On May 15, the Great March of Return rallies culminated to mark the Nakba or Catastrophe. It is the forced removal of 750,000 Palestinians from their homes to clear the way for Israel`s establishment in 1948. In May, a large number of Palestinians gathered to protest on the Gaza Strip`s eastern border to commemorate the Nakba anniversary and protest the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Since March 30, Israeli forces have killed at least 124 Palestinians and wounded more than 13,000 people.

Israeli troops kill 4, injures over 600 Palestinians

Bangladeshi security forces have shot dead around 130 people and arrested 13,000 in the past three weeks since the government introduced a "zero tolerance" policy against illegal drugs, the United Nations human rights chief said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the anti-narcotics campaign in early May to tackle the spread of ya ba, as methamphetamine is widely known in Asia, and worth an estimated $3 billion annually, government officials say.

UN&nbsp;High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said nobody should forfeit their rights for using or selling drugs, and he urged the government to investigate the deaths.

UN&nbsp;spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said Bangladesh's minister of law had assured Zeid there would be an investigation.

The government has previously dismissed any suggestion of extrajudicial killings and said the crackdown had popular support.

The drug is sourced from northeast&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;and smuggled into neighbouring Bangladesh. Bangladesh has said an influx last year of Rohingya fleeing&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;is partly to blame for soaring methamphetamine use. But many Rohingya say their young people are being pushed into crime because they cannot legally work or, in many cases, get access to aid.

Human rights activists are worried the Bangladesh campaign is taking a page from the Philippine drugs war, in which thousands of people have been killed in the past two years.

UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said Bangladesh's minister of law had assured Zeid there would be an investigation

Bangladeshi security forces have shot dead around 130 people and arrested 13,000 in the past three weeks since the government introduced a "zero tolerance" policy against illegal drugs, the United Nations human rights chief said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the anti-narcotics campaign in early May to tackle the spread of ya ba, as methamphetamine is widely known in Asia, and worth an estimated $3 billion annually, government officials say. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said nobody should forfeit their rights for using or selling drugs, and he urged the government to investigate the deaths. UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said Bangladesh's minister of law had assured Zeid there would be an investigation. The government has previously dismissed any suggestion of extrajudicial killings and said the crackdown had popular support. The drug is sourced from northeast Myanmar and smuggled into neighbouring Bangladesh. Bangladesh has said an influx last year of Rohingya fleeing Myanmar is partly to blame for soaring methamphetamine use. But many Rohingya say their young people are being pushed into crime because they cannot legally work or, in many cases, get access to aid. Human rights activists are worried the Bangladesh campaign is taking a page from the Philippine drugs war, in which thousands of people have been killed in the past two years.

UN urges Bangladesh to halt killings of suspected drug offenders

Over 200,000 Turks poured into the streets in Istanbul on Friday for a massive rally denouncing the killings of more than 60 Palestinians by Israeli forces during demonstrations against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem early this week.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and some delegates to an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) joined the rally at Yenikapi Square, where Turkish and Palestinian flags were waved by the crowd.

Addressing the rally, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah urged the world and Islamic countries to protect Jerusalem, whose status is a thorny issue in the long-running conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

At least 63 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were killed and about 2,800 wounded over the past few days in confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters against the US's embassy move to Jerusalem.

As a&nbspshow of solidarity, the crowd chanted slogans like "Palestine is not alone" and "We stand for Jerusalem," carrying banners that read, "The world is blind, the world is deaf."

Addressing the rally, Erdogan said that not only the Islamic world but the entire world has failed in the Jerusalem cause.

He blamed the UN for being just an "onlooker to Israel's all unfair, unlawful actions" and not taking a resolute stance against Washington's embassy move.

Turkey has, among others, recalled its ambassadors from Tel Aviv and Washington and called for an urgent OIC meeting in response to the inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem and the killings of Palestinians at the hands of Israeli forces on Monday.

During the rally in Istanbul, the crowd chanted slogans like "Palestine is not alone" and "We stand for Jerusalem," carrying banners that read, "The world is blind, the world is deaf."

At least 63 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were killed and about 2,800 wounded over the past few days in confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters against the US's embassy move to Jerusalem

Over 200,000 Turks poured into the streets in Istanbul on Friday for a massive rally denouncing the killings of more than 60 Palestinians by Israeli forces during demonstrations against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem early this week. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and some delegates to an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) joined the rally at Yenikapi Square, where Turkish and Palestinian flags were waved by the crowd. Addressing the rally, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah urged the world and Islamic countries to protect Jerusalem, whose status is a thorny issue in the long-running conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. At least 63 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were killed and about 2,800 wounded over the past few days in confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters against the US's embassy move to Jerusalem. As a&nbspshow of solidarity, the crowd chanted slogans like "Palestine is not alone" and "We stand for Jerusalem," carrying banners that read, "The world is blind, the world is deaf." Addressing the rally, Erdogan said that not only the Islamic world but the entire world has failed in the Jerusalem cause. He blamed the UN for being just an "onlooker to Israel's all unfair, unlawful actions" and not taking a resolute stance against Washington's embassy move. Turkey has, among others, recalled its ambassadors from Tel Aviv and Washington and called for an urgent OIC meeting in response to the inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem and the killings of Palestinians at the hands of Israeli forces on Monday. During the rally in Istanbul, the crowd chanted slogans like "Palestine is not alone" and "We stand for Jerusalem," carrying banners that read, "The world is blind, the world is deaf."

Mass rally held in Istanbul against Israeli killings of Palestinians

The U.N. Human Rights Council is expected to hold a special session on killings, rapes and other crimes committed against Rohingya in Myanmar that have driven more than 600,000 into Bangladesh since August, U.N. sources said on Monday.

&quot;There will be a special session on December 5,&quot; a senior United Nations source told Reuters.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-arrives-in-myanmar-on-high-stakes-visit-25246">Rohingya crisis: Pope arrives in Myanmar</a>

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra&#39;ad al-Hussein has described the Myanmar army&#39;s crackdown in Rakhine state as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

The military has denied the accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement.

'There will be a special session on December 5,' a senior United Nations source told Reuters

The U.N. Human Rights Council is expected to hold a special session on killings, rapes and other crimes committed against Rohingya in Myanmar that have driven more than 600,000 into Bangladesh since August, U.N. sources said on Monday. "There will be a special session on December 5," a senior United Nations source told Reuters. Also read: Rohingya crisis: Pope arrives in Myanmar U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein has described the Myanmar army's crackdown in Rakhine state as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. The military has denied the accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement.

UN rights forum to hold special session on Rohingya: UN sources

The UN rights chief urged the Philippines&nbsp;Tuesday&nbsp;to investigate President Rodrigo Duterte for murder, after he boasted that he had in the past personally killed suspected criminals.&nbsp;

Duterte said in a speech last week that when he was mayor of the southern city of Davao, where he served three terms between 1988 and 2016, he personally killed people to set an example for police.

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<h5>Duterte told the BBC&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;that he had personally killed &#39;about three people&#39; during his term as mayor</h5>
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He made the comments in a speech to businessmen as he discussed his campaign to eradicate illegal drugs, which has seen police and unknown assailants kill thousands of people since he became president on&nbsp;June 30.

&quot;The Philippines judicial authorities must demonstrate their commitment to upholding the rule of law and their independence from the executive by launching a murder investigation,&quot; UN rights chief Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein said in a statement.

&quot;The killings committed by Mr. Duterte, by his own admission, at a time when he was a mayor, clearly constitute murder,&quot; he said.

&quot;It should be unthinkable for any functioning judicial system not to launch investigative and judicial proceedings when someone has openly admitted being a killer,&quot; he insisted.

Duterte has said that as newly elected mayor of Davao, he and several local policemen ambushed a group of suspected kidnappers shortly after the gang collected ransom from the parents of the released hostage, a local teenage girl.&nbsp;

&quot;Maybe my bullets killed them, maybe not, but after the (firefight) they were all dead,&quot; he said.

He meanwhile told the BBC&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;that he had personally killed &quot;about three people&quot; during his term as mayor.

Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre insisted that the president had not violated any law.&nbsp;

&quot;If the suspect fought back, he must have been forced to kill him,&quot; Aguirre told reporters last week.

But Zeid was adamant, warning that the acts clearly violated the Philippine constitution.&nbsp;

&quot;The killings described by President Duterte also violate international law, including the right to life ... and innocence until proven guilty,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

The UN rights chief&#39;s statement also decried the &quot;environment of alarming impunity and violence&quot; created by Duterte&#39;s deadly campaign to eradicate illegal drugs.

According to the UN, nearly 6,100 people had been killed since Duterte took office in late June.

(AFP)

Duterte said in a speech last week that he had personally killed suspected criminals while he was mayor of Davao

The UN rights chief urged the Philippines Tuesday to investigate President Rodrigo Duterte for murder, after he boasted that he had in the past personally killed suspected criminals. Duterte said in a speech last week that when he was mayor of the southern city of Davao, where he served three terms between 1988 and 2016, he personally killed people to set an example for police. Duterte told the BBC on Friday that he had personally killed 'about three people' during his term as mayor × He made the comments in a speech to businessmen as he discussed his campaign to eradicate illegal drugs, which has seen police and unknown assailants kill thousands of people since he became president on June 30. "The Philippines judicial authorities must demonstrate their commitment to upholding the rule of law and their independence from the executive by launching a murder investigation," UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement. "The killings committed by Mr. Duterte, by his own admission, at a time when he was a mayor, clearly constitute murder," he said. "It should be unthinkable for any functioning judicial system not to launch investigative and judicial proceedings when someone has openly admitted being a killer," he insisted. Duterte has said that as newly elected mayor of Davao, he and several local policemen ambushed a group of suspected kidnappers shortly after the gang collected ransom from the parents of the released hostage, a local teenage girl. "Maybe my bullets killed them, maybe not, but after the (firefight) they were all dead," he said. He meanwhile told the BBC on Friday that he had personally killed "about three people" during his term as mayor. Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre insisted that the president had not violated any law. "If the suspect fought back, he must have been forced to kill him," Aguirre told reporters last week. But Zeid was adamant, warning that the acts clearly violated the Philippine constitution. "The killings described by President Duterte also violate international law, including the right to life ... and innocence until proven guilty," he said. The UN rights chief's statement also decried the "environment of alarming impunity and violence" created by Duterte's deadly campaign to eradicate illegal drugs. According to the UN, nearly 6,100 people had been killed since Duterte took office in late June. (AFP)

UN rights chief calls on Philippines to probe President Duterte for murder

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he personally killed suspected criminals while he was the mayor of a southern city in order to set an example for police.&nbsp;

Duterte made the revelation in a speech late on Monday night to businessmen while discussing his campaign to eradicate illegal drugs.

Duterte&rsquo;s &ldquo;war on drugs&rdquo; has seen police and unknown assailants kill thousands since he came to power in June.

After speaking about policing killing suspected criminal in the ongoing crime war, Duterte said he led similar efforts when he was the mayor of Davao.

&quot;In Davao I used to do it personally. Just to show to the guys (police) that if I can do it why can&#39;t you,&quot; Duterte said in his speech at the presidential palace, news agency AFP reported.

&quot;And I&#39;d go around in Davao with a motorcycle, with a big bike around, and I would just patrol the streets, looking for trouble also. I was really looking for a confrontation so I could kill.&quot;

Responding to criticism from human rights groups and US President Barack Obama about his brutal tactics and vowing to continue his crackdown,

Duterte said,&quot;If they say that I am afraid to stop (the campaign) because of the human rights and guys from including Obama: Sorry, I am not about to do that,&quot; he said in English.

Rights groups had earlier accused Duterte of running vigilante death squads in Davao that killed more than 1,000 suspected criminals.

Duterte has denied and acknowledged his involvement in the death squads variously.

As president, Duterte has called on ordinary citizens &nbsp;as well as security forces to kill drug users and traffickers. But he has also added that he and his security forces would not break the law.

Police have reported killing 2,086 people in anti-drug operations since Duterte became president.&nbsp;

According to official figures, more than 3,000 others have been killed in unexplained circumstances.

 
(WION with inputs from AFP)

 
&nbsp;

The Philippines President said he killed suspected criminals to set an example for police

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he personally killed suspected criminals while he was the mayor of a southern city in order to set an example for police. Duterte made the revelation in a speech late on Monday night to businessmen while discussing his campaign to eradicate illegal drugs. Duterte’s “war on drugs” has seen police and unknown assailants kill thousands since he came to power in June. After speaking about policing killing suspected criminal in the ongoing crime war, Duterte said he led similar efforts when he was the mayor of Davao. "In Davao I used to do it personally. Just to show to the guys (police) that if I can do it why can't you," Duterte said in his speech at the presidential palace, news agency AFP reported. "And I'd go around in Davao with a motorcycle, with a big bike around, and I would just patrol the streets, looking for trouble also. I was really looking for a confrontation so I could kill." Responding to criticism from human rights groups and US President Barack Obama about his brutal tactics and vowing to continue his crackdown, Duterte said,"If they say that I am afraid to stop (the campaign) because of the human rights and guys from including Obama: Sorry, I am not about to do that," he said in English. Rights groups had earlier accused Duterte of running vigilante death squads in Davao that killed more than 1,000 suspected criminals. Duterte has denied and acknowledged his involvement in the death squads variously. As president, Duterte has called on ordinary citizens as well as security forces to kill drug users and traffickers. But he has also added that he and his security forces would not break the law. Police have reported killing 2,086 people in anti-drug operations since Duterte became president. According to official figures, more than 3,000 others have been killed in unexplained circumstances. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Philippines' Duterte says he personally killed people

Over 300 anti-narcotics and human rights groups from around the world on Tuesday called for the United Nations to condemn Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s war on drugs that has already killed hundreds of people. 
 
The appeal, directed to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), came as an influential Philippine senator called for an investigation into the killings of suspected drug pushers that Duterte has endorsed. 
 
Senator Leila de Lima and the foreign organisations cited reports of police killing hundreds of people since Duterte won May elections largely on a platform to wage a bloody war on drugs. 
 
&quot;Instead of ensuring the protection and rights of people who use drugs... President Duterte has called for them to be killed,&quot; said the statement from groups such as the Australian Drug Foundation and Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. 
 
&quot;Instead of ensuring the rights of people suspected of committing drug-related crimes... the President has called for them to be executed on the spot.&quot; 
 
The statement called on the INCB and the UNODC to condemn the killings and &quot;demand an end to the atrocities&quot;. 
 
De Lima, in a speech before Senate, also lashed out at the killings. &quot;We cannot wage the war against drugs with blood. We will only be trading drug addiction with another more malevolent kind of addiction.&nbsp;This is the compulsion for more killing,&quot; said the senator, a former justice minister who also headed the nation&#39;s human rights body. De Lima said police were summarily killing even innocent people, using the anti-drug campaign as an excuse. 
 
Since assuming the presidency on June 30, Duterte has promised to protect police and soldiers from sanctions for killing criminals and even urged ordinary citizens and communist rebels to join in the bloodshed. 
 
While his campaign has been widely popular in the impoverished Philippines, more groups have begun criticising Duterte, with De Lima calling for a congressional probe into the killings. 
 
But the president has dismissed human rights concerns while police have insisted that they only acted in self-defence. In June, even UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon condemned Duterte&#39;s apparent support of extra-judicial killings. 
 
Police figures showed that as of Tuesday, 402 drug suspects had been killed a month into Duterte&#39;s presidency. 
 
The figure does not include those slain by suspected vigilantes. The country&#39;s top broadcaster, ABS-CBN, reported that 603 people had been killed since Duterte was elected, with 211 murdered by unidentified gunmen. 
 
(AFP)

While his campaign has been popular in the impoverished Philippines, more international groups have begun criticising President Duterte

Over 300 anti-narcotics and human rights groups from around the world on Tuesday called for the United Nations to condemn Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs that has already killed hundreds of people. The appeal, directed to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), came as an influential Philippine senator called for an investigation into the killings of suspected drug pushers that Duterte has endorsed. Senator Leila de Lima and the foreign organisations cited reports of police killing hundreds of people since Duterte won May elections largely on a platform to wage a bloody war on drugs. "Instead of ensuring the protection and rights of people who use drugs... President Duterte has called for them to be killed," said the statement from groups such as the Australian Drug Foundation and Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. "Instead of ensuring the rights of people suspected of committing drug-related crimes... the President has called for them to be executed on the spot." The statement called on the INCB and the UNODC to condemn the killings and "demand an end to the atrocities". De Lima, in a speech before Senate, also lashed out at the killings. "We cannot wage the war against drugs with blood. We will only be trading drug addiction with another more malevolent kind of addiction. This is the compulsion for more killing," said the senator, a former justice minister who also headed the nation's human rights body. De Lima said police were summarily killing even innocent people, using the anti-drug campaign as an excuse. Since assuming the presidency on June 30, Duterte has promised to protect police and soldiers from sanctions for killing criminals and even urged ordinary citizens and communist rebels to join in the bloodshed. While his campaign has been widely popular in the impoverished Philippines, more groups have begun criticising Duterte, with De Lima calling for a congressional probe into the killings. But the president has dismissed human rights concerns while police have insisted that they only acted in self-defence. In June, even UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon condemned Duterte's apparent support of extra-judicial killings. Police figures showed that as of Tuesday, 402 drug suspects had been killed a month into Duterte's presidency. The figure does not include those slain by suspected vigilantes. The country's top broadcaster, ABS-CBN, reported that 603 people had been killed since Duterte was elected, with 211 murdered by unidentified gunmen. (AFP)

UN must condemn Philippine drug killings: Rights groups

Police in Rio de Janeiro state, which hosts next month&#39;s Olympics, killed at least 645 people in the last year and 8,000 over the decade, a rights group said today. 
 
The grisly toll includes dozens of execution-style killings in addition to the lethal violence used during standard police work in the state, the report from Human Rights Watch said. 
 
The international rights group identified 64 cases in the last eight years in which Rio police allegedly tried to cover up extrajudicial killings of 116 people, including at least 24 minors. 
 
&quot;Killing criminals was a requirement from my superiors as a way of showing that we were performing well,&quot; one of 30 police officers interviewed for Human Rights Watch&#39;s study alleged. 
 
The officer, who like all the others spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of &nbsp;reprisals, said he had been stationed in one of Rio&#39;s most dangerous neighborhoods where he took part in operations against heavily armed drug traffickers. The strategy was to kill them as a way to reduce crime, he said. 
 
The officer, who is still on the force, was quoted as saying that some police would capture suspected drug traffickers and kill them, sometimes to gain status as killers and to boost their own extortion rackets. 
 
The pressure to play along makes honest policing difficult in Rio, according to the report, titled &#39;Good cops are afraid:&#39; The toll of unchecked police violence in Rio de Janeiro.&quot; 
 
&quot;Illegal executions by police colleagues turn an already dangerous job into something even more dangerous&quot; and stokes anger against the authorities, the report said. 
 
Rio state&#39;s prosecutor general, Marfan Martins Vieira, also told Human Rights Watch that a large proportion of shoot-outs reported by police are faked. 
 
However, he said that his office had only taken on &quot;a very small number&quot; of cases involving murder by police. 
 
Vieira accused the Civil Police, which investigates homicides, of not fulfilling its task, but Human Rights Watch says the ultimate responsibility lies with prosecutors and that they should be pursuing the culprits. 
 
Only eight of the 64 cases investigated by Human Rights Watch have gone to trial and only four of those resulted in prison terms for police. 
 
(AFP)

They killed 645 people last year, the grisly toll includes dozens of execution-style killings

Police in Rio de Janeiro state, which hosts next month's Olympics, killed at least 645 people in the last year and 8,000 over the decade, a rights group said today. The grisly toll includes dozens of execution-style killings in addition to the lethal violence used during standard police work in the state, the report from Human Rights Watch said. The international rights group identified 64 cases in the last eight years in which Rio police allegedly tried to cover up extrajudicial killings of 116 people, including at least 24 minors. "Killing criminals was a requirement from my superiors as a way of showing that we were performing well," one of 30 police officers interviewed for Human Rights Watch's study alleged. The officer, who like all the others spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said he had been stationed in one of Rio's most dangerous neighborhoods where he took part in operations against heavily armed drug traffickers. The strategy was to kill them as a way to reduce crime, he said. The officer, who is still on the force, was quoted as saying that some police would capture suspected drug traffickers and kill them, sometimes to gain status as killers and to boost their own extortion rackets. The pressure to play along makes honest policing difficult in Rio, according to the report, titled 'Good cops are afraid:' The toll of unchecked police violence in Rio de Janeiro." "Illegal executions by police colleagues turn an already dangerous job into something even more dangerous" and stokes anger against the authorities, the report said. Rio state's prosecutor general, Marfan Martins Vieira, also told Human Rights Watch that a large proportion of shoot-outs reported by police are faked. However, he said that his office had only taken on "a very small number" of cases involving murder by police. Vieira accused the Civil Police, which investigates homicides, of not fulfilling its task, but Human Rights Watch says the ultimate responsibility lies with prosecutors and that they should be pursuing the culprits. Only eight of the 64 cases investigated by Human Rights Watch have gone to trial and only four of those resulted in prison terms for police. (AFP)

Rio police kill, torture with impunity: Rights group

Authorities in Bangladesh have arrested at least 103 militants as part of a broad crackdown on Islamists after a wave of deadly attacks on members of minority groups and liberal activists, police said on Monday.

In addition to the arrest of the Islamist militants, about 6,000 suspected criminals have been arrested since law enforcement agencies began a week-long drive on Friday to halt a series of targeted killings in the mainly Muslim nation.

All the arrests were made on specific charges, national police chief AKM&nbsp;Shahidul Hoque said, relating to firearms, narcotics and other offences.

&quot;We will have to prevent the emergence of militancy collectively as a whole nation. It is not possible to eliminate it by police alone,&rdquo; Hoque said.

Over the past week, an elderly Hindu priest, a Hindu monastery worker and a Christian shopkeeper were hacked to death in attacks for which Islamic State claimed responsibility. The Muslim wife of a counter-terrorism police official was also stabbed and shot dead.

Militants have killed more than 30 people in Bangladesh since early last year, with atheist bloggers, liberal academics, gay rights campaigners, foreign aid workers, members of&nbsp;minority Muslim sects&nbsp;and other&nbsp;religious&nbsp;groups among the victims.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for 21 of the attacks since its first claim in September last year and al Qaeda has claimed most of the rest, according to Site Intelligence Group, a US-based monitoring service.

The government denies that either group has a presence in Bangladesh and says home-grown radicals are responsible.

Last month, junior foreign minister Shahriar Alam told Reuters that Islamic State was trying to ride a wave of religious radicalisation by falsely claiming killings and said there was enough evidence implicating domestic militant groups.

Police said two domestic militant groups - Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen and Ansarullah Bangla Team - were behind the attacks as part of their efforts to impose strict Islamic law on Bangladesh, whose population of 160 million are mostly moderate Muslims.

At least 10 suspected members of the outlawed Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen have been killed in shootouts since November, including five last week, police said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to track down the killers, blaming the growing violence on political opponents linked to Islamist parties.

The main opposition party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, dismisses such accusations and said the mass arrests were a ploy to suppress political opponents.

Police also arrest 100 Islamist militants, who killed over 30 minorities and activists, in the mainly Muslim nation

Authorities in Bangladesh have arrested at least 103 militants as part of a broad crackdown on Islamists after a wave of deadly attacks on members of minority groups and liberal activists, police said on Monday. In addition to the arrest of the Islamist militants, about 6,000 suspected criminals have been arrested since law enforcement agencies began a week-long drive on Friday to halt a series of targeted killings in the mainly Muslim nation. All the arrests were made on specific charges, national police chief AKM Shahidul Hoque said, relating to firearms, narcotics and other offences. "We will have to prevent the emergence of militancy collectively as a whole nation. It is not possible to eliminate it by police alone,” Hoque said. Over the past week, an elderly Hindu priest, a Hindu monastery worker and a Christian shopkeeper were hacked to death in attacks for which Islamic State claimed responsibility. The Muslim wife of a counter-terrorism police official was also stabbed and shot dead. Militants have killed more than 30 people in Bangladesh since early last year, with atheist bloggers, liberal academics, gay rights campaigners, foreign aid workers, members of minority Muslim sects and other religious groups among the victims. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for 21 of the attacks since its first claim in September last year and al Qaeda has claimed most of the rest, according to Site Intelligence Group, a US-based monitoring service. The government denies that either group has a presence in Bangladesh and says home-grown radicals are responsible. Last month, junior foreign minister Shahriar Alam told Reuters that Islamic State was trying to ride a wave of religious radicalisation by falsely claiming killings and said there was enough evidence implicating domestic militant groups. Police said two domestic militant groups - Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen and Ansarullah Bangla Team - were behind the attacks as part of their efforts to impose strict Islamic law on Bangladesh, whose population of 160 million are mostly moderate Muslims. At least 10 suspected members of the outlawed Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen have been killed in shootouts since November, including five last week, police said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to track down the killers, blaming the growing violence on political opponents linked to Islamist parties. The main opposition party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, dismisses such accusations and said the mass arrests were a ploy to suppress political opponents.

5,000 arrested in Bangladesh in crackdown on wave of targeted killings

More than 20 people were killed and about 50 injured in three bombings, including two suicide attacks&nbsp;that hit Baghdad today, police and medical sources said.

The attacks came as Iraqi forces and Shi&#39;ite militias were fighting Islamic State militants in Falluja.

Twelve people were killed and more than 20 injured when a car bomb blew up in Baghdad&#39;s northern Shaab Shi&#39;ite district.

Eight were killed and 21 wounded by a suicide bomber who detonated a car packed with explosives near a government building and a police station in Tarmiya, a predominantly Sunni suburb north of Baghdad.

Another suicide bomber riding a motorcycle set off his explosive belt in Sadr City, a popular Shi&#39;ite district of Baghdad, killing three and injuring nine.

The attacks come in the wake of the Iraqi Army and Shi'ite militia storming Falluja to recapture it from the Islamic State.

More than 20 people were killed and about 50 injured in three bombings, including two suicide attacks that hit Baghdad today, police and medical sources said. The attacks came as Iraqi forces and Shi'ite militias were fighting Islamic State militants in Falluja. Twelve people were killed and more than 20 injured when a car bomb blew up in Baghdad's northern Shaab Shi'ite district. Eight were killed and 21 wounded by a suicide bomber who detonated a car packed with explosives near a government building and a police station in Tarmiya, a predominantly Sunni suburb north of Baghdad. Another suicide bomber riding a motorcycle set off his explosive belt in Sadr City, a popular Shi'ite district of Baghdad, killing three and injuring nine.

More than 20 killed in multiple blasts in Baghdad

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