A mass grave from the Neolithic era found some time back contains the remains of mostly adult males, all of whom were related. The discovery was made by archaeologists and paleo-geneticists from the Université de Bordeaux, along with other researchers from the Université Côte d'Azur, both in France.

The study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

A dig conducted earlier threw open a mass burial site from the Neolithic at Aven de la Boucle in a cave in southern France. Radiocarbon dating showed that burials were conducted at the site from 2,800 BC to 3,600 BC. This meant that it had been in use for almost 1,000 years.

The researchers in the current study studied the burial site and conducted a genetic analysis on some of the bodies. The remains of 75 exhumed people were under the scanner and the team analysed the genomes of 37 of them.

Two things jumped out from the analyses - 76 per cent of the remains were male and almost all of them were from a single paternal line. The researchers believe that the discovery of male remains at one site suggests that social status was passed down through the males of the society.

<h2>Why few female&nbsp;remains?</h2>

However, in an effort to understand why so few females were present at the burial site, they came up with two possibilities. Either the females whose remains were found at the site were special in some way, or female remains were removed from the site later.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/plasma-bubbles-spotted-over-giza-pyramids-from-china-they-can-affect-757665">Plasma bubbles spotted over Giza Pyramids from China. Are they dangerous?</a>

The removal of the female remains likely happened because of a need to bring them back to their ancestral home.&nbsp;

Authors in the paper say that in most prehistoric societies, women often left their own homes and went with men belonging to another group. However, this was not the case with males who stuck to their society.&nbsp;

This is probably what happened with the people of this society as well. The males remained together and were buried in the same place. Meanwhile, it is likely that the bodies of some women were dug out and taken back to their original homes and families to let them be with their ancestors.

A mass grave from the Neolithic era found some time back contains the remains of mostly adult males, all of whom were related. The discovery was made by archaeologists and paleo-geneticists from the Université de Bordeaux, along with other researchers from the Université Côte d'Azur, both in France.

A mass grave from the Neolithic era found some time back contains the remains of mostly adult males, all of whom were related. The discovery was made by archaeologists and paleo-geneticists from the Université de Bordeaux, along with other researchers from the Université Côte d'Azur, both in France. The study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. A dig conducted earlier threw open a mass burial site from the Neolithic at Aven de la Boucle in a cave in southern France. Radiocarbon dating showed that burials were conducted at the site from 2,800 BC to 3,600 BC. This meant that it had been in use for almost 1,000 years. The researchers in the current study studied the burial site and conducted a genetic analysis on some of the bodies. The remains of 75 exhumed people were under the scanner and the team analysed the genomes of 37 of them. Two things jumped out from the analyses - 76 per cent of the remains were male and almost all of them were from a single paternal line. The researchers believe that the discovery of male remains at one site suggests that social status was passed down through the males of the society. Why few female remains? However, in an effort to understand why so few females were present at the burial site, they came up with two possibilities. Either the females whose remains were found at the site were special in some way, or female remains were removed from the site later. Also Read: Plasma bubbles spotted over Giza Pyramids from China. Are they dangerous? The removal of the female remains likely happened because of a need to bring them back to their ancestral home. Authors in the paper say that in most prehistoric societies, women often left their own homes and went with men belonging to another group. However, this was not the case with males who stuck to their society. This is probably what happened with the people of this society as well. The males remained together and were buried in the same place. Meanwhile, it is likely that the bodies of some women were dug out and taken back to their original homes and families to let them be with their ancestors.

Mass grave in French cave has too many males, too few females. Why?

A grim search is underway in Croatia for the remains of victims killed during war more than three decades ago. Earlier this month, investigators found the remains of 10 people at this garbage dump. Watch in for more details!

Croatia: War victims found in mass grave at garbage dump

Archaeologists in Nuremberg, Germany, have made a significant discovery during excavations preceding the construction of a retirement home. What they've uncovered may be the largest mass burial of plague victims ever found in Europe.

Roughly&nbsp;1,000 skeletons of&nbsp;plague victims&nbsp;have so far been found in mass graves in the centre&nbsp;of the city of Nuremberg, which archaeologists believe may contain a total of more than 1,500 people, according to a press release.&nbsp;

While precise dating is pending, initial assessments have suggested that the eight plague pits were established around the first half of the 17th century. Interestingly, some bones show a green tint, likely due to the site being used to dispose of waste from a nearby copper mill.

"We will secure and archive all human remains that are found in the future construction areas,"&nbsp;Nuremberg Department of Heritage Conservation archaeologist Melanie Langbein and chief anthropologist Florian Melzer, told Science Alert.

"We currently assume that once the work is completed in the spring, this will be the largest emergency cemetery for plague victims excavated in Europe," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-a-snake-like-amphibian-that-produces-milk-for-its-young-698014">Also read |&nbsp;Scientists discover a snake-like amphibian that produces milk for its young</a>

<h2>Why is this of archaeological significance?</h2>

Archaeologists are of the opinion that this discovery will be the largest emergency cemetery for plague victims excavated in Europe upon completion of the project in the spring.

Bubonic plague, infamous for devastating pandemics like the Black Death and the Justinian plague, recurred frequently throughout history. Local epidemics have&nbsp;persisted for centuries after the Black Death, affecting cities like Nuremberg.

Unlike traditional plague cemeteries such as St. Rochus in Nuremberg, these victims were not buried according to Christian practices, indicating a dire need for rapid burial during outbreaks.

Further analysis, including DNA testing, is required to confirm the presence of the plague bacterium Yersinia Pestis.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worlds-oldest-known-burial-site-was-not-created-by-humans-but-654809">Also read |&nbsp;World's oldest known burial site was not created by humans but...</a>

Beyond understanding the circumstances of their deaths, excavating and studying these remains will provide valuable insights into the history of Nuremberg.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Archaeologists in Nuremberg, Germany, have made a significant discovery during excavations preceding the construction of a retirement home. What they've uncovered may be the largest mass burial of plague victims ever found in Europe.

Archaeologists in Nuremberg, Germany, have made a significant discovery during excavations preceding the construction of a retirement home. What they've uncovered may be the largest mass burial of plague victims ever found in Europe. Roughly 1,000 skeletons of plague victims have so far been found in mass graves in the centre of the city of Nuremberg, which archaeologists believe may contain a total of more than 1,500 people, according to a press release. While precise dating is pending, initial assessments have suggested that the eight plague pits were established around the first half of the 17th century. Interestingly, some bones show a green tint, likely due to the site being used to dispose of waste from a nearby copper mill. "We will secure and archive all human remains that are found in the future construction areas," Nuremberg Department of Heritage Conservation archaeologist Melanie Langbein and chief anthropologist Florian Melzer, told Science Alert. "We currently assume that once the work is completed in the spring, this will be the largest emergency cemetery for plague victims excavated in Europe," he added. Also read | Scientists discover a snake-like amphibian that produces milk for its young Why is this of archaeological significance? Archaeologists are of the opinion that this discovery will be the largest emergency cemetery for plague victims excavated in Europe upon completion of the project in the spring. Bubonic plague, infamous for devastating pandemics like the Black Death and the Justinian plague, recurred frequently throughout history. Local epidemics have persisted for centuries after the Black Death, affecting cities like Nuremberg. Unlike traditional plague cemeteries such as St. Rochus in Nuremberg, these victims were not buried according to Christian practices, indicating a dire need for rapid burial during outbreaks. Further analysis, including DNA testing, is required to confirm the presence of the plague bacterium Yersinia Pestis. Also read | World's oldest known burial site was not created by humans but... Beyond understanding the circumstances of their deaths, excavating and studying these remains will provide valuable insights into the history of Nuremberg. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover giant plague grave with 1,000 skeletons in Germany

The United Nations human rights office said on Thursday (July 13) that at least 87 people, which include ethnic Masalits, were buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur. The UN said that it had credible information that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible.&nbsp;

The UN statement said that local people were forced to dispose of the bodies which included those of women and children in an open area which was close to the town of western El-Geneina between June 20-21.

The statement also said that some of the people had died from untreated injuries which were inflicted during a wave of violence by the RSF and militia allied to them. The violence had taken place following the killing of local governor Khamis Abbakar.

"I condemn in the strongest terms the killing of civilians and hors de combat individuals, and I am further appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in the same statement.

Turk called for a prompt and thorough investigation.

Reuters said that it was not clear how many Masalits were among the dead. Sudan has seen rise in ethnically motivated bloodshed in recent weeks in step with war between rival military factions. The war started in April.

<h2>Fresh mediation from Egypt</h2>

Meanwhile, Egypt was attempting to freshly mediate between Sudan's warring factions by hosting a regional summit on Thursday. The effort is latest in international attempts to prevent outbreak of civil war.

In Sudan violence, more than 1000 civilians have been killed till now and 3 million people have been displaced according to figures from United Nations.

The fighting between the army and paramilitary forces broke out in April. It has since then spread westward to the fragile Darfur and Kordofan regions.

A series of ceasefires have been negotiated by the US and Saudi Arabia. But the talks have remained suspended after violations.&nbsp;

Egypt historically has close ties with the Sudanese army. It has invited Sudan's neighbours to the Thursday summit.

The aims of the summit are to stave off foreign interference and influence in the fighting, two Egyptian security sources said, and to ultimately launch a process to achieve a peaceful agreement to stop the fighting.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The United Nations human rights office said on Thursday (July 13) that at least 87 people, which include ethnic Masalits, were buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur.

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

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

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that a mass grave was recently found in Izium, Kharkiv. The Chief of Police from Kharkiv has said that the mass grave had 440 bodies. "The necessary legal proceeding have already started. There should be more clear and verified information by tomorrow," stated President Zelensky.

Mass grave with over 400 bodies found in Ukraine's Izium

In Poland, a mass grave with human ashes equivalent to around 8,000 people has been discovered near a former Nazi concentration camp. On Wednesday, the country's Institute of National Remembrance, which looks into atrocities done during the Nazi occupation of Poland and the communist era, said that the remains were discovered close to the Soldau concentration camp, now known as Dzialdowo, north of Warsaw. As per an AFP report, Investigator Tomasz Jankowski said that the sombre finding of about 17.5 tonnes (15,800 kilogrammes) of human ashes supports the assertion that at least 8,000 individuals died there.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: The story of the Holocaust

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-story-of-the-holocaust-276360/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Reportedly, the grim estimate is based on the weight of the remains. Two kilogrammes are considered to be roughly equivalent to one human body.

The camp was constructed by Nazi Germany during its occupation of Poland in World War II. It was used as a transit point, a site of imprisonment, and a location for execution for Jews, political opponents, and members of the Polish political elite.

While the exact toll of the deaths of inmates at Soldau has never been determined, but estimates place it around 30,000.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/four-dolls-from-nazi-concentration-camp-fetch-ps5625-in-auction-492419">Four dolls from Nazi concentration camp fetch £5,625 in auction</a>

The majority of the deceased in the mass grave "were probably assassinated around 1939 and mostly belonged to the Polish elites," according to Jankowski.

In order to destroy any evidence of war crimes, Nazi authorities ordered Jewish prisoners to burn the remains in 1944.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-zelensky-says-russias-camps-resemble-nazi-concentration-camps-487844">Ukraine war: Zelensky says Russia's camps 'resemble Nazi concentration camps'</a>

Genetics specialist Andrzej Ossowski from the Pomeranian Medical University told AFP that samples from the ashes had been retrieved and will be examined in a laboratory.

He continued, "We can carry out DNA analysis, which will allow us to find out more about the identity of the victims," citing similar studies in the old Nazi concentration camps of Sobibor and Treblinka.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

In Poland, a mass grave with human ashes equivalent to around 8,000 people has been discovered near a former Nazi concentration camp. On Wednesday, the country's Institute of National Remembrance, which looks into atrocities done during the Nazi occupation of Poland and the communist era, said that the remains were discovered close to the Soldau concentration camp, now known as Dzialdowo, north of Warsaw.

In Poland, a mass grave with human ashes equivalent to around 8,000 people has been discovered near a former Nazi concentration camp. On Wednesday, the country's Institute of National Remembrance, which looks into atrocities done during the Nazi occupation of Poland and the communist era, said that the remains were discovered close to the Soldau concentration camp, now known as Dzialdowo, north of Warsaw. As per an AFP report, Investigator Tomasz Jankowski said that the sombre finding of about 17.5 tonnes (15,800 kilogrammes) of human ashes supports the assertion that at least 8,000 individuals died there. Watch | Gravitas: The story of the Holocaust Reportedly, the grim estimate is based on the weight of the remains. Two kilogrammes are considered to be roughly equivalent to one human body. The camp was constructed by Nazi Germany during its occupation of Poland in World War II. It was used as a transit point, a site of imprisonment, and a location for execution for Jews, political opponents, and members of the Polish political elite. While the exact toll of the deaths of inmates at Soldau has never been determined, but estimates place it around 30,000. Also read | Four dolls from Nazi concentration camp fetch £5,625 in auction The majority of the deceased in the mass grave "were probably assassinated around 1939 and mostly belonged to the Polish elites," according to Jankowski. In order to destroy any evidence of war crimes, Nazi authorities ordered Jewish prisoners to burn the remains in 1944. Also read | Ukraine war: Zelensky says Russia's camps 'resemble Nazi concentration camps' Genetics specialist Andrzej Ossowski from the Pomeranian Medical University told AFP that samples from the ashes had been retrieved and will be examined in a laboratory. He continued, "We can carry out DNA analysis, which will allow us to find out more about the identity of the victims," citing similar studies in the old Nazi concentration camps of Sobibor and Treblinka. (With inputs from agencies) 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.

Mass grave with remains of 8,000 discovered at a former Nazi Germany camp in Poland

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. The Russia and Ukraine crisis continues to escalate with each day passing. Hundreds are dead, thousands are injured and millions have left the war-torn country to save their lives. The latest development from ground zero reveals a gruesome reality as Ukrainian authorities claimed to have found a mass grave in Bucha, a town outside Kyiv. Bucha was recently retaken by Ukrainian forces from Russian troops. As reported by news agency AFP, fifty-seven people were buried in a mass grave in Bucha, a local official said on Sunday (April 3), showing a slit trench where the bodies lay. ALSO READ | Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole Kyiv region liberated: Ukraine As per the news agency, around ten bodies were visible, either unburied or partially covered by the earth. Some of the bodies were left in civilian clothing, whereas some were said to be concealed in black zip-up body bags. Serhii Kaplychnyi, who identified himself as head of the rescue services in Bucha, told the news agency: "Here in this long grave, 57 people are buried." As per reports, the mass grave is behind a church in the town centre. On Saturday (April 2), the mayor of Bucha said that 300 residents had been killed by Russian troops during a month-long occupation. The reported atrocities in Bucha led the countries like Germany and France to accuse Russia of war crimes. ALSO READ | Russia Ukraine crisis: Nearly 4.2 million Ukrainian refugees flee war Also, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Sunday (April 3) that civilian killings in Bucha were the "most outrageous atrocity of the 21st century." "Without an exaggeration, by what we have seen in Bucha and vicinity, we can conclude that Russia is worse than ISIS in the scale and ruthlessness of the crimes committed," he said as quoted by the news agency Reuters while speaking to reporters during a visit to Warsaw. WATCH | UN: Over 4.1 million Ukrainians have fled country and 6.83 million displaced since Russia invaded × (With inputs from agencies)

'Most outrageous atrocity of 21st century': Ukrainian official says mass graves found in Bucha

In a bid to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, two men from Alberta, Adam McDonald and Stanley Gilbert Jean, have begun a walk to Ottawa.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
McDonald and Jean arrived in Edmonton on Monday, June 7, as a reception was organised for them near the Alberta legislature.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
As per Jean, the walk marks his first journey to raise awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. He said that the expedition and his sobriety are both very important for him.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
McDonald said that he began to advocate for more awareness about the issue by walking five years ago.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
He further said that he has already walked every major highway in Canada. He claimed that once he starts something, he will never give up.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Monday night’s reception was organized by Judith Gale, who is the leader of the Bear Clan Patrol Edmonton Beaver Hills House.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
She said that the cause is important to her because her sister was murdered more than 40 years ago. She also said that she does not believe that the police took her case seriously.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
She claimed that it is a cause that is dear to her heart and she is doing it for her sister. 
&nbsp; 
After the inquiry’s final report was increased, the commissioner, Marion Buller, told a crowd in Ottawa that “this is genocide”.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The report included 200 recommendations to multiple levels of government. The federal government has now issued its action plan for implementing those recommendations.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a bid to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, two men from Alberta, Adam McDonald and Stanley Gilbert Jean, have begun a walk to Ottawa.

In a bid to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, two men from Alberta, Adam McDonald and Stanley Gilbert Jean, have begun a walk to Ottawa. McDonald and Jean arrived in Edmonton on Monday, June 7, as a reception was organised for them near the Alberta legislature. As per Jean, the walk marks his first journey to raise awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. He said that the expedition and his sobriety are both very important for him. McDonald said that he began to advocate for more awareness about the issue by walking five years ago. He further said that he has already walked every major highway in Canada. He claimed that once he starts something, he will never give up. Monday night’s reception was organized by Judith Gale, who is the leader of the Bear Clan Patrol Edmonton Beaver Hills House. She said that the cause is important to her because her sister was murdered more than 40 years ago. She also said that she does not believe that the police took her case seriously. She claimed that it is a cause that is dear to her heart and she is doing it for her sister. After the inquiry’s final report was increased, the commissioner, Marion Buller, told a crowd in Ottawa that “this is genocide”. The report included 200 recommendations to multiple levels of government. The federal government has now issued its action plan for implementing those recommendations. (With inputs from agencies)

Alberta men begin walk to Ottawa to honour missing, murdered indigenous women and girls

Canada's Indigenous services minister said Wednesday it is "shameful" that the Pope has never formally apologized for abuses at the country's Catholic-run indigenous residential schools, which he termed "labour camps."

Marc Miller's comments followed the recent discovery of unmarked graves of 215 children in Kamloops at one of 139 boarding schools set up a century ago to forcibly assimilate Canada's indigenous peoples. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remains-of-215-children-of-kamloops-indian-residential-school-discovered-387995">Also read | Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered</a> 
 
"I do, I do," the minister told a news conference when asked if he supports growing indigenous calls for a papal apology that dates back to a 2015 truth and reconciliation commission report, and before.

"I think it is shameful that they haven't done it, that it hasn't been done to date," he said. "It should be done. There is a responsibility that lies squarely on the shoulders of the Council of Bishops in Canada."

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett also said a papal apology is needed to "unlock the healing" in indigenous communities.

"They want to hear the Pope apologize," she said, urging Catholics across Canada to "ask their church to do better."

A few hours after Miller's comments, Vancouver Archbishop J Michael Miller offered an apology on social media.

"In light of the heartbreaking disclosure of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, I am writing to express my deep apology and profound condolences to the families and communities that have been devastated by this horrific news," he said in a statement.

"If words of apology for such unspeakable deeds are to bring life and healing, they must be accompanied by tangible actions that foster the full disclosure of the truth," he said, pledging to make church records about the schools available.

"The church was unquestionably wrong in implementing a government colonialist policy which resulted in devastation for children, families and communities," he said.

'Labour camps'

The Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, where the unmarked graves were discovered last week using ground-penetrating radar, was operated by the Catholic church on behalf of Ottawa from 1890 to 1969.

Some 150,000 Indian, Inuit and Metis youngsters in total were forcibly enrolled in these schools, where students were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who stripped them of their culture and language.

Today those experiences are blamed for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in indigenous communities.

Miller recalled an anecdote shared by an indigenous faith keeper about one such school where students -- who were often malnourished -- were "punished" for eating apples from its orchard or eggs that were destined for market.

"These were labour camps," he said. "So calling (them) a school is probably a euphemism."

A delegation of indigenous leaders had in 2009 met privately with Pope Benedict who "expressed his sorrow" over the school harms to indigenous peoples.

Although the statement of regret was welcomed by the group as "significant," they said it fell short of an official apology.

The truth and reconciliation commission later noted that it was "disappointing to survivors and others that the Pope (had) not yet made a clear and emphatic public apology in Canada for the abuses."

Pope Francis's subsequent refusal in 2018 -- after Canada's parliament passed a motion again asking the pontiff to apologize -- drew a polite rebuke from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying he was "disappointed" with the church's decision.

Canada's Indigenous services minister said Wednesday it is "shameful" that the Pope has never formally apologized for abuses at the country's Catholic-run indigenous residential schools, which he termed "labour camps.

Canada's Indigenous services minister said Wednesday it is "shameful" that the Pope has never formally apologized for abuses at the country's Catholic-run indigenous residential schools, which he termed "labour camps." Marc Miller's comments followed the recent discovery of unmarked graves of 215 children in Kamloops at one of 139 boarding schools set up a century ago to forcibly assimilate Canada's indigenous peoples. Also read | Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered "I do, I do," the minister told a news conference when asked if he supports growing indigenous calls for a papal apology that dates back to a 2015 truth and reconciliation commission report, and before. "I think it is shameful that they haven't done it, that it hasn't been done to date," he said. "It should be done. There is a responsibility that lies squarely on the shoulders of the Council of Bishops in Canada." Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett also said a papal apology is needed to "unlock the healing" in indigenous communities. "They want to hear the Pope apologize," she said, urging Catholics across Canada to "ask their church to do better." A few hours after Miller's comments, Vancouver Archbishop J Michael Miller offered an apology on social media. "In light of the heartbreaking disclosure of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, I am writing to express my deep apology and profound condolences to the families and communities that have been devastated by this horrific news," he said in a statement. "If words of apology for such unspeakable deeds are to bring life and healing, they must be accompanied by tangible actions that foster the full disclosure of the truth," he said, pledging to make church records about the schools available. "The church was unquestionably wrong in implementing a government colonialist policy which resulted in devastation for children, families and communities," he said. 'Labour camps' The Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, where the unmarked graves were discovered last week using ground-penetrating radar, was operated by the Catholic church on behalf of Ottawa from 1890 to 1969. Some 150,000 Indian, Inuit and Metis youngsters in total were forcibly enrolled in these schools, where students were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who stripped them of their culture and language. Today those experiences are blamed for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in indigenous communities. Miller recalled an anecdote shared by an indigenous faith keeper about one such school where students -- who were often malnourished -- were "punished" for eating apples from its orchard or eggs that were destined for market. "These were labour camps," he said. "So calling (them) a school is probably a euphemism." A delegation of indigenous leaders had in 2009 met privately with Pope Benedict who "expressed his sorrow" over the school harms to indigenous peoples. Although the statement of regret was welcomed by the group as "significant," they said it fell short of an official apology. The truth and reconciliation commission later noted that it was "disappointing to survivors and others that the Pope (had) not yet made a clear and emphatic public apology in Canada for the abuses." Pope Francis's subsequent refusal in 2018 -- after Canada's parliament passed a motion again asking the pontiff to apologize -- drew a polite rebuke from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying he was "disappointed" with the church's decision.

Lack of papal apology in indigenous school abuse 'shameful': Canada minister

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the remains of 215 children, including some as young as three found in a mass grave on the grounds of a former residential school, was not an isolated incident.

The prime minister's comments were made on Monday as Indigenous leaders called for an inquiry into every former residential school site across the nation.

"As a dad, I can't imagine what it would feel like to have my kids taken away from me," Trudeau told a news conference. "And as prime minister, I am appalled by the shameful policy that stole indigenous children from their communities." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remains-of-215-children-of-kamloops-indian-residential-school-discovered-387995">Also read: Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered</a> 
 
"Think of their communities that never saw them again. Think of their hopes, their dreams, their potential, of all they would have accomplished, all they would have become," he said. "All of that was taken away."

He said excavating school burial sites across Canada, as many have urged, "is an important part of discovering the truth."

"Canada will be there to support indigenous communities as we discover the extent of this trauma and trying to give opportunities for families and communities to heal." 
 
Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/horrific-chapter-in-canadian-history-388467/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Thousands of indigenous children were taken from their parents and placed in residential schools across Canada for almost a century in an attempt to integrate them. 
 
There were over 130 residential schools that were operating across Canada.

These schools, many of which were managed by religious organisations, were open until 1996 and were riddled with abuse.&nbsp;

On May 27, in a media release, Chief Rosanne Casimir calls the discovery an “unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School,” which was the largest school in the country’s Indian Affairs residential school system.

According to the Canadian Press, some of the children were as young as three. The school was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system.

“Given the size of the school, with up to 500 students registered and attending at any one time, we understand that this confirmed loss affects First Nations communities across British Columbia and beyond,” the statement read.

Tk’emlups’ Heritage Park is closed to the public and no one will be permitted on-site for the duration of the work.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the remains of 215 children, including some as young as three found in a mass grave on the grounds of a former residential school, was not an isolated incident.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the remains of 215 children, including some as young as three found in a mass grave on the grounds of a former residential school, was not an isolated incident. The prime minister's comments were made on Monday as Indigenous leaders called for an inquiry into every former residential school site across the nation. "As a dad, I can't imagine what it would feel like to have my kids taken away from me," Trudeau told a news conference. "And as prime minister, I am appalled by the shameful policy that stole indigenous children from their communities." Also read: Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered "Think of their communities that never saw them again. Think of their hopes, their dreams, their potential, of all they would have accomplished, all they would have become," he said. "All of that was taken away." He said excavating school burial sites across Canada, as many have urged, "is an important part of discovering the truth." "Canada will be there to support indigenous communities as we discover the extent of this trauma and trying to give opportunities for families and communities to heal." Watch: Thousands of indigenous children were taken from their parents and placed in residential schools across Canada for almost a century in an attempt to integrate them. There were over 130 residential schools that were operating across Canada. These schools, many of which were managed by religious organisations, were open until 1996 and were riddled with abuse. On May 27, in a media release, Chief Rosanne Casimir calls the discovery an “unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School,” which was the largest school in the country’s Indian Affairs residential school system. According to the Canadian Press, some of the children were as young as three. The school was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system. “Given the size of the school, with up to 500 students registered and attending at any one time, we understand that this confirmed loss affects First Nations communities across British Columbia and beyond,” the statement read. Tk’emlups’ Heritage Park is closed to the public and no one will be permitted on-site for the duration of the work. (With inputs from agencies)

Mass grave containing 215 kids ‘not an isolated issue’; Justin Trudeau vows 'concrete action'

A wedding ring worn by her father 84 years ago when he was shot dead by General Francisco Franco's fascist forces finally gave certainty to Rosa Maria Insua, who received it, tears in her eyes, last week at the site of a mass grave found near Madrid.

The discovery of the ring by the Historic Memory Recovery Association (ARMH) confirmed the resting place of Eugenio Juan Insua, which his family had tried to find out for decades in vain.

More than 110,000 people are still considered missing since the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War and Franco's dictatorship that ended in 1975, which remain divisive subjects in Spain.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/spains-former-king-juan-carlos-has-been-in-uae-since-august-3-321297" hreflang="en">Spain's former king Juan Carlos has been in UAE since August 3</a>

The left-wing coalition government on Tuesday approved a draft 'democratic memory' bill that envisages state-funded exhumation of the bodies of victims of war and the dictatorship, with the aim to help families like Insua's to bury them alongside their loved ones or claim state pensions.&nbsp;

"What a joy, we always thought he was here, but this gives us a lot of certainty," the 84-year-old said, thanking ARMH researchers who found the ring with her parents' 1931 wedding date - 1-6-931 - engraved on the inside in a mass grave in El Espinar, 65 km northwest of Madrid.

"I've been rather frail lately. Years are going by and I'd be very happy for this all to be solved, to be over, in peace," she told Reuters.

Eugenio Juan Insua was killed in July 1936 at the age of 29 in an ambush along with 16 other defenders of the Republican government, just days after the war broke out.

"I hope he will be genetically identified so that the family can bury him where they want and not where the murderers decided to in 1936," said ARMH deputy head Marco Gonzalez.

The association's president Emilio Silva said there was much work to be done yet across Spain: "We are talking about a drop in the ocean. There are 114,226 people missing and we are an association that is trying to resolve a small part of this problem without any public help".

The government has already taken a series of steps to remove dictatorship-era symbols, including last year removing Franco's remains from a massive mausoleum near Madrid.&nbsp;

But the recent rise of the far right such as the party VOX, already the third-largest force in parliament, makes Insua "scared that there could be an election after which they'll say 'that's it, we don't do this (mass grave search) anymore'".

A wedding ring worn by her father 84 years ago when he was shot dead by General Francisco Franco's fascist forces finally gave certainty to Rosa Maria Insua, who received it, tears in her eyes, last week at the site of a mass grave found near Madrid.

A wedding ring worn by her father 84 years ago when he was shot dead by General Francisco Franco's fascist forces finally gave certainty to Rosa Maria Insua, who received it, tears in her eyes, last week at the site of a mass grave found near Madrid. The discovery of the ring by the Historic Memory Recovery Association (ARMH) confirmed the resting place of Eugenio Juan Insua, which his family had tried to find out for decades in vain. More than 110,000 people are still considered missing since the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War and Franco's dictatorship that ended in 1975, which remain divisive subjects in Spain. Also read: Spain's former king Juan Carlos has been in UAE since August 3 The left-wing coalition government on Tuesday approved a draft 'democratic memory' bill that envisages state-funded exhumation of the bodies of victims of war and the dictatorship, with the aim to help families like Insua's to bury them alongside their loved ones or claim state pensions. "What a joy, we always thought he was here, but this gives us a lot of certainty," the 84-year-old said, thanking ARMH researchers who found the ring with her parents' 1931 wedding date - 1-6-931 - engraved on the inside in a mass grave in El Espinar, 65 km northwest of Madrid. "I've been rather frail lately. Years are going by and I'd be very happy for this all to be solved, to be over, in peace," she told Reuters. Eugenio Juan Insua was killed in July 1936 at the age of 29 in an ambush along with 16 other defenders of the Republican government, just days after the war broke out. "I hope he will be genetically identified so that the family can bury him where they want and not where the murderers decided to in 1936," said ARMH deputy head Marco Gonzalez. The association's president Emilio Silva said there was much work to be done yet across Spain: "We are talking about a drop in the ocean. There are 114,226 people missing and we are an association that is trying to resolve a small part of this problem without any public help". The government has already taken a series of steps to remove dictatorship-era symbols, including last year removing Franco's remains from a massive mausoleum near Madrid. But the recent rise of the far right such as the party VOX, already the third-largest force in parliament, makes Insua "scared that there could be an election after which they'll say 'that's it, we don't do this (mass grave search) anymore'".

Ring found in mass grave brings closure to Spanish civil war victim's family

The bodies of at least 23 people have been found in a hidden grave close to a police base on the outskirts of the western Mexican city of Guadalajara, local authorities said Friday.

"The people deployed to the site have found 23 bodies, as well as four bags with various items of evidence, and three of the bodies have been identified," said the Jalisco state prosecutor's office in a statement.&nbsp;

The statement said the mass grave had been found on Monday.

The families of the three people so far identified have been informed, the office added.

The burial pit was found between two residential properties and only three blocks from the police station of El Salto, on the outskirts of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco.

Guadalajara,&nbsp;Mexico&nbsp;|&nbsp;AFP&nbsp;|&nbsp;Saturday 7/18/2020 - 09:17 UTC+5&nbsp;|&nbsp;345 words

The bodies of at least 23 people have been found in a hidden grave close to a police base on the outskirts of the western Mexican city of Guadalajara, local authorities said Friday.

"The people deployed to the site have found 23 bodies, as well as four bags with various items of evidence, and three of the bodies have been identified," said the Jalisco state prosecutor's office in a statement.&nbsp;

The statement said the mass grave had been found on Monday.

The families of the three people so far identified have been informed, the office added.

The burial pit was found between two residential properties and only three blocks from the police station of El Salto, on the outskirts of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco.

"It is between two houses where people are living. You have to ask, why didn't they report something?" said Guadalupe Aguilar, a coordinator for the FUNDEJ organization that looks for missing people in the country and which monitors digs carried out by the authorities.

The investigators found evidence that crimes were committed on the property "related to the disappearance of people," the official statement said.

On July 2, investigators wound up work on another grave in the nearby municipality of Tlaquepaque, where they found 86 bags containing human remains.

And 10 days ago, the authorities resumed work on another burial site in the municipality of Tlajomulco, also on the edge of the city, where last January they found 500 bags containing human remains from an estimated 48 people. Those excavations had been suspended in March due to the coronavirus.

The large number of bodies being found in the state follows bloody turf wars between the powerful narco-trafficking group known as the Jalisco New Generation cartel and rival groups, as well as internal disputes within the gang itself.

The Mexican government said Monday that there are 73,201 people missing in the country, most of whom have vanished since the country launched a major offensive against the cartels in 2006.

Since then 6,625 bodies have been found in hidden burial pits.

The bodies of at least 23 people have been found in a hidden grave close to a police base on the outskirts of the western Mexican city of Guadalajara, local authorities said Friday.

The bodies of at least 23 people have been found in a hidden grave close to a police base on the outskirts of the western Mexican city of Guadalajara, local authorities said Friday. "The people deployed to the site have found 23 bodies, as well as four bags with various items of evidence, and three of the bodies have been identified," said the Jalisco state prosecutor's office in a statement. The statement said the mass grave had been found on Monday. The families of the three people so far identified have been informed, the office added. The burial pit was found between two residential properties and only three blocks from the police station of El Salto, on the outskirts of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco. Guadalajara, Mexico | AFP | Saturday 7/18/2020 - 09:17 UTC+5 | 345 words The bodies of at least 23 people have been found in a hidden grave close to a police base on the outskirts of the western Mexican city of Guadalajara, local authorities said Friday. "The people deployed to the site have found 23 bodies, as well as four bags with various items of evidence, and three of the bodies have been identified," said the Jalisco state prosecutor's office in a statement. The statement said the mass grave had been found on Monday. The families of the three people so far identified have been informed, the office added. The burial pit was found between two residential properties and only three blocks from the police station of El Salto, on the outskirts of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco. "It is between two houses where people are living. You have to ask, why didn't they report something?" said Guadalupe Aguilar, a coordinator for the FUNDEJ organization that looks for missing people in the country and which monitors digs carried out by the authorities. The investigators found evidence that crimes were committed on the property "related to the disappearance of people," the official statement said. On July 2, investigators wound up work on another grave in the nearby municipality of Tlaquepaque, where they found 86 bags containing human remains. And 10 days ago, the authorities resumed work on another burial site in the municipality of Tlajomulco, also on the edge of the city, where last January they found 500 bags containing human remains from an estimated 48 people. Those excavations had been suspended in March due to the coronavirus. The large number of bodies being found in the state follows bloody turf wars between the powerful narco-trafficking group known as the Jalisco New Generation cartel and rival groups, as well as internal disputes within the gang itself. The Mexican government said Monday that there are 73,201 people missing in the country, most of whom have vanished since the country launched a major offensive against the cartels in 2006. Since then 6,625 bodies have been found in hidden burial pits.

At least 23 bodies found in mass grave in Mexico

Mass graves are one of the most cruel legacies of terror group Islamic State. They are open wounds of families who wait for years before they know what happened to their beloved and give them proper burials. But only if they are ever found and identified.

In Syria's Raqqa, once the capital city of Islamic State, 200 bodies were found in a mass grave. But the count could go as high up as 800.

Five of those bodies were found shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit - the same prisoners of the Islamic State terror group wore before their executions. Three women's skulls showed sign of death by stoning, a barbarian practice Islamic State terrorists commonly used.

Identifying corpses in mass graves is a challenge per se, and more so in a war zone. It requires DNA tests and forensic analyses but in war torn Syria, officials have to resort to more rudimentary methods.

"We have identified about 30 corpses in this mass grave thanks to basic clues: The hair, a wrist watch, a ring or even a hair clip or the clothes of a man or woman that the relatives have recognised," said Yasser Khamis, head of the rapid response team.

Bodies buried in mass graves may come from very distant areas, making the identification process even more complicated.

"To find the identity of the corpses was simpler in the town, because in the case of a destroyed building, relatives or friends knew who lived there, so they were known or there were documents there. But in the case of mass graves, it's very difficult, most corpses are unknown," said Mohammad Haj Hassan, a forensic doctor.

And everything needs to be archived and registered.

"They search, film, and a detailed report is written. Recently, a lawyer has been commissioned to make a legal report to keep in our archives and on our computers,"&nbsp; said Hassan.

And given the numbers, the effort can be massive. In February, members of the Raqqa civil council found a mass grave containing 3,500 corpses, the largest so far.

Mass graves are one of the most cruel legacies of terror group Islamic State. They are open wounds of families who wait for years before they know what happened to their beloved and give them proper burials.

Mass graves are one of the most cruel legacies of terror group Islamic State. They are open wounds of families who wait for years before they know what happened to their beloved and give them proper burials. But only if they are ever found and identified. In Syria's Raqqa, once the capital city of Islamic State, 200 bodies were found in a mass grave. But the count could go as high up as 800. Five of those bodies were found shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit - the same prisoners of the Islamic State terror group wore before their executions. Three women's skulls showed sign of death by stoning, a barbarian practice Islamic State terrorists commonly used. Identifying corpses in mass graves is a challenge per se, and more so in a war zone. It requires DNA tests and forensic analyses but in war torn Syria, officials have to resort to more rudimentary methods. "We have identified about 30 corpses in this mass grave thanks to basic clues: The hair, a wrist watch, a ring or even a hair clip or the clothes of a man or woman that the relatives have recognised," said Yasser Khamis, head of the rapid response team. Bodies buried in mass graves may come from very distant areas, making the identification process even more complicated. "To find the identity of the corpses was simpler in the town, because in the case of a destroyed building, relatives or friends knew who lived there, so they were known or there were documents there. But in the case of mass graves, it's very difficult, most corpses are unknown," said Mohammad Haj Hassan, a forensic doctor. And everything needs to be archived and registered. "They search, film, and a detailed report is written. Recently, a lawyer has been commissioned to make a legal report to keep in our archives and on our computers," said Hassan. And given the numbers, the effort can be massive. In February, members of the Raqqa civil council found a mass grave containing 3,500 corpses, the largest so far.

Mass grave discovered in Syria's Raqqa highlighting Islamic State's brutality

A mass grave with skeletal remains of around 151 people have been found in Sri Lanka's former war zone where the government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels were engaged in a 30-year civil war, officials said on Wednesday.

At least 14 of the skeletal remains found in the northeastern district of Mannar were of children.

The digging work at the old cooperative store site in Mannar was conducted for the 79th day Tuesday to establish if it was a mass burial site.&nbsp;

In March, the construction workers had found remains when the ground was dug to build a new construction. Excavations were on since March.&nbsp;

The remains have been kept in a special room of the Mannar magistrate court and will be sent for carbon testing.

Amidst international complaints of large numbers of missing in Sri Lanka's conflicts since 1980, the office of missing persons was set up this year.&nbsp; 
Various probes set up from time to time since the 1990s have found that nearly 25,000 people are missing as a result of the armed conflicts.

Mannar was occupied by the LTTE during Sri Lanka's civil war between 1983 and 2009. International rights groups have said that at least 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed by government forces under the command of former president Mahinda Rajapakse in the final months of the war.

Since the end of the military battles, Sri Lanka has faced international accusations of rights abuses by its troops.

A mass grave with skeletal remains of around 151 people have been found in Sri Lanka's former war zone where the government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels were engaged in a 30-year civil war, officials said on Wednesday.

A mass grave with skeletal remains of around 151 people have been found in Sri Lanka's former war zone where the government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels were engaged in a 30-year civil war, officials said on Wednesday. At least 14 of the skeletal remains found in the northeastern district of Mannar were of children. The digging work at the old cooperative store site in Mannar was conducted for the 79th day Tuesday to establish if it was a mass burial site. In March, the construction workers had found remains when the ground was dug to build a new construction. Excavations were on since March. The remains have been kept in a special room of the Mannar magistrate court and will be sent for carbon testing. Amidst international complaints of large numbers of missing in Sri Lanka's conflicts since 1980, the office of missing persons was set up this year. Various probes set up from time to time since the 1990s have found that nearly 25,000 people are missing as a result of the armed conflicts. Mannar was occupied by the LTTE during Sri Lanka's civil war between 1983 and 2009. International rights groups have said that at least 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed by government forces under the command of former president Mahinda Rajapakse in the final months of the war. Since the end of the military battles, Sri Lanka has faced international accusations of rights abuses by its troops.

Mass grave with skeletal remains of over 150 people found in Sri Lanka

Amnesty International today called on authorities in Mali to investigate extra-judicial killings following the discovery last week of a mass grave containing six bodies.

The rights group said it had collected evidence that "the six bodies found in a mass grave on 25 March had been arrested by the military three days earlier in the village of Dogo and taken away to an unknown location."

"This macabre discovery comes after weeks of escalating violence which has left civilians in central Mali caught in the crossfire, facing enforced disappearances and unlawful killings by the military on one side, and roadside bombs and abductions by armed groups on the other," Amnesty's West Africa researcher Gaetan Mootoo said in a statement.

"We are urging the Malian authorities to investigate reports of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of civilians in the central region, and bring all those suspected of criminal responsibility to justice," Mootoo said.

The UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on March 29 expressed "deep concern" over the increase in "serious violations and human rights abuses against civilians, including cases of summary execution" in the centre of the country, where jihadist groups are particularly active.

MINUSMA, which has 12,000 peacekeepers in Mali, said it had recorded at least 85 major violent incidents and armed confrontations that resulted in at least 180 civilian victims, including 15 women and 17 children, since the beginning of the year.

It said it was also worried about the extent of inter-communal violence in the central region, which has killed at least 50 people.

"Some cases are attributable to community self-defence groups," said MINUSMA, which welcomed Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga's recent visit to the restive region and the government's commitment to "shed light on serious violations and human rights abuses".

Maiga, who is charged with improving Mali's security situation, vowed to disarm militias during a visit to Koro on March 25.

In early 2012 Islamist extremists linked to Al-Qaeda and other armed groups took control of Mali's desert north, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

That insurgency has since spread to the country's centre, where local grievances are exploited by the Islamists in a region awash with guns.

Another problem is deadly clashes between farmers and herders driven south to feed their animals in recent years.&nbsp

Mali to investigate extra-judicial killings following the discovery last week of a mass grave containing six bodies

Amnesty International today called on authorities in Mali to investigate extra-judicial killings following the discovery last week of a mass grave containing six bodies. The rights group said it had collected evidence that "the six bodies found in a mass grave on 25 March had been arrested by the military three days earlier in the village of Dogo and taken away to an unknown location." "This macabre discovery comes after weeks of escalating violence which has left civilians in central Mali caught in the crossfire, facing enforced disappearances and unlawful killings by the military on one side, and roadside bombs and abductions by armed groups on the other," Amnesty's West Africa researcher Gaetan Mootoo said in a statement. "We are urging the Malian authorities to investigate reports of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of civilians in the central region, and bring all those suspected of criminal responsibility to justice," Mootoo said. The UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on March 29 expressed "deep concern" over the increase in "serious violations and human rights abuses against civilians, including cases of summary execution" in the centre of the country, where jihadist groups are particularly active. MINUSMA, which has 12,000 peacekeepers in Mali, said it had recorded at least 85 major violent incidents and armed confrontations that resulted in at least 180 civilian victims, including 15 women and 17 children, since the beginning of the year. It said it was also worried about the extent of inter-communal violence in the central region, which has killed at least 50 people. "Some cases are attributable to community self-defence groups," said MINUSMA, which welcomed Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga's recent visit to the restive region and the government's commitment to "shed light on serious violations and human rights abuses". Maiga, who is charged with improving Mali's security situation, vowed to disarm militias during a visit to Koro on March 25. In early 2012 Islamist extremists linked to Al-Qaeda and other armed groups took control of Mali's desert north, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013. That insurgency has since spread to the country's centre, where local grievances are exploited by the Islamists in a region awash with guns. Another problem is deadly clashes between farmers and herders driven south to feed their animals in recent years.

Amnesty calls on Mali to probe extrajudicial killings

Iraqi security troops said on Monday (November 7) they had found a mass grave containing about 150 decapitated corpses in the town of Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul.

The town was seized from Islamic State by Iraqi Federal Police units last week as Iraqi government forces, Kurdish Peshmerga and Shi&#39;ite militias backed by U.S.-led air strikes pushed their offensive to recapture Mosul from Islamic State.

The Iraqi police released a video to show the site of the grave.

&#39;&#39;These are the corpses of chopped heads, including children, elderly men and women. It is unforgivable crime. Those people are innocent. The Islamic State militants brought them here and killed them,&quot; an officer said, speaking at the site.

The UN&nbsp;High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani said on Tuesday (November 8) she could not confirm media reports of the mass grave, but said it happened to be in the same agricultural college in Hammam al Alil where the U.N. reported the execution of 50 police officers last month.

Islamic State fighters had abducted 295 former Iraqi Security Forces members and forced 1,500 families to retreat with them from the town, she added.

She said it appeared Islamic State either intended to kill them of use them as human shields.

(Reuters)

The town was seized from Islamic State by Iraqi Federal Police units last week as Iraqi government forces

Iraqi security troops said on Monday (November 7) they had found a mass grave containing about 150 decapitated corpses in the town of Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul. The town was seized from Islamic State by Iraqi Federal Police units last week as Iraqi government forces, Kurdish Peshmerga and Shi'ite militias backed by U.S.-led air strikes pushed their offensive to recapture Mosul from Islamic State. The Iraqi police released a video to show the site of the grave. ''These are the corpses of chopped heads, including children, elderly men and women. It is unforgivable crime. Those people are innocent. The Islamic State militants brought them here and killed them," an officer said, speaking at the site. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani said on Tuesday (November 8) she could not confirm media reports of the mass grave, but said it happened to be in the same agricultural college in Hammam al Alil where the U.N. reported the execution of 50 police officers last month. Islamic State fighters had abducted 295 former Iraqi Security Forces members and forced 1,500 families to retreat with them from the town, she added. She said it appeared Islamic State either intended to kill them of use them as human shields. (Reuters)

Iraq security forces say mass grave found near Mosul

mass-grave

Mass Grave, News on Mass Grave, stories on Mass Grave, articles on Mass Grave, Mass Grave stories at Wion, Mass Grave news, Mass Grave latest news