A/HRC/7/18 page 17 74. Violations of the human rights of ethnic nationalities continue to be reported in Kayin State, in eastern Myanmar (Mon, Shan and Kayah) and in northern Rakhine State. These violations have been perpetrated by military agents and non-State armed groups. The Government severely restricts access to them by United Nations agencies and other humanitarian actors. 75. In addition to direct relocation or eviction orders issued by the military and civil authorities, internal displacement results from a combination of coercive measures, such as forced labour, extortion and land confiscation, which drive down incomes to the point that the household economies collapse and people have no choice but to leave their homes. The conflict and the reported abuses result in large numbers of individuals and entire families seeking refuge in neighbouring countries following their internal displacement. 76. As at 15 February 2008, the population of refugees from Myanmar in Thailand, including the registered population, asylum-seekers waiting for action by the Thailand Provincial Admission Board and students was estimated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at 130,241. This excludes some 14,182 refugees resettled in third countries. According to UNHCR, 123,663 Myanmar refugees temporarily residing in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border have been registered. A total of 228 individuals allegedly fleeing Myanmar as a result of the crackdown on the demonstrations held in August and September 2007 have also been registered. 77. It has been reported that, in Karen State, over 40,000 villagers have been internally displaced. At least 10 villagers in Karen State are said to have been killed and thousands rendered homeless owing to an increased army presence over the past months. According to reports in December 2007, there were 187 army battalions in Karen State, including the three districts, with at least 120 to 150 soldiers in each battalion. 78. The Special Rapporteur notes that, in the Northern Rakhine State (Arakan), the Sunni Muslim returnees are subjected to political, economic, religious and social repression by the authorities. The total number of Muslim residents/stateless (Rohingyas) is estimated by non-governmental sources at 728,000. They have been denied citizenship under the 1982 citizenship law, which renders them de facto stateless. They are subject to systematic discrimination and abuse, which, according to various sources, have worsened, especially with regard to the restriction of movement, arbitrary taxation, forced labour, confiscation, forced eviction and arbitrary arrest (including harassment and violence by police forces, death in custody and sexual violence). In addition, people are often harassed (house searches, confiscation of assets) or beaten by police forces, mainly during controls or at checkpoints. Cases of rape of young women and children, perpetrated by different police forces, have been reported. 79. The Special Rapporteur praises the Government of Myanmar for having included Muslim residents as part of its national documentation programme and by initially providing 35,000 persons in northern Arakan State with identity documents (temporary registration certificates). While noting the importance of this process, which can be considered a first step to a decent legal status for this population, and hoping that the pace can be accelerated