A/HRC/39/64 44. ARSA emerged as a Rohingya resistance organization in response to the violence in 2012 and increased State oppression over all aspects of life. On 9 October 2016, the group 8 launched a small first offensive against three border guard police posts in northern Rakhine State. Nine police officers were killed, and ARSA obtained some arms. The security forces, led by the Tatmadaw, responded with the “clearance operations”. Some 87,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh. The same tactics and violations were seen in this operation as later in 2017, albeit on a smaller scale. A government investigation commission led by the VicePresident, and the security forces’ own inquiries, cleared the security forces of wrongdoing, endorsing the lawfulness and appropriateness of the response. 45. As in 2012, the violence in 2016 resulted in a further intensification of oppressive measures against the Rohingya. Security forces, camps and checkpoints were increased. Daily life for the Rohingya became unbearable, with extreme movement restrictions. Protective fences around Rohingya houses were removed, and knives and other sharp implements were confiscated. Security patrols, house searches and cases of beatings, theft and extortion increased. Hundreds of men and boys were arrested, with the most educated and influential frequently targeted. Many were subjected to ill-treatment or torture in detention. Some were later released on payment of bribes; others have not been seen since. Women and girls were subjected to sexual violence, including gang rape. 46. In parallel, the authorities embarked on a renewed effort to impose the National Verification Card on the Rohingya, a card that the latter had refused, seeing it as symbol of a discriminatory system that would entrench their status as “Bengali immigrants”. The card increasingly became a prerequisite for passing through checkpoints, gaining access to farmland, and for fishing. Intimidation and force were used, including at community meetings in the presence of the police and military, during which threats were made at gunpoint. At these meetings, villagers were told to “take the card or leave the country”; others, for example in Chut Pyin, were told by soldiers to accept it or be killed. Most Rohingya still refused. 47. In May and July 2017, the ultranationalist monk Wirathu visited northern Rakhine, where he conducted mass public sermons. The village of Zay Di Pyin (Rathedaung Township) was blockaded by Rakhine villagers and security forces throughout August. Amid heightened tension immediately before 25 August 2017, Myanmar media increasingly reported on alleged ARSA activity in an inflammatory manner. Statesponsored hate speech towards the Rohingya also continued. 48. A large build-up of troops and other military assets across northern Rakhine began in early August 2017, following a meeting between Rakhine politicians and the Tatmadaw Commander-in-Chief. Soldiers from the 33rd and 99th Light Infantry Divisions were airlifted into Rakhine State, with additional deliveries of military equipment. The increased presence was evident. Soldiers took over border guard police posts. Rakhine men were recruited into the security forces, including “fast-track” recruitment into the police. Other local Rakhine men were mobilized and armed. This build-up was significant, requiring logistical planning and time to implement, considerations that indicate that the subsequent operations were foreseen and planned. (c) An enduring catastrophe I will not go back until they recognize our rights like others in Myanmar. Otherwise, I would prefer to die here. 49. While the Government claimed that “clearance operations” had ended on 5 September,9 military engagement continued well into October. Freedom of movement was further constrained, restricting remaining Rohingya to their houses, with limited access to markets and livelihoods and exacerbating malnutrition. Humanitarian access was severely restricted or blocked. Conversely, no protection was provided to Rohingya against vigilante 8 9 10 Then known as Harakah al-Yaqin. See www.facebook.com/state.counsellor/posts/speech-delivered-by-her-excellency-daw-aung-sansuu-kyi-state-counsellor-of-the-/1121130291354519/ (accessed on 10 September 2018).