A/HRC/7/18 page 16 70. The Government does not recognize the existence of internally displaced persons within the borders of Myanmar, let alone its responsibility in preventing and addressing such a situation according to recognized international standards, and restricts access to them, especially in the eastern border zones, by United Nations agencies and other humanitarian actors. Most assistance to internally displaced persons is provided through local non-governmental organizations. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the recent initiative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to map assistance activities and to promote coordinated and effective ways to provide humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons in eastern Myanmar. 71. The causes of population movements within Myanmar (internal migration) and beyond its borders (external migration) are closely linked to the serious and systematic abuses of basic rights, and are therefore considered to be a form of forced migration. Their reasons for moving are often similar to those of internally displaced persons or, in the case of cross-border migrants, refugees. The Government has reportedly continued its attempts to limit and regulate international travel through punitive measures imposed on illegal migrants and regular closures of official border crossings. Borders with China, Thailand, Bangladesh and India remained permeable throughout the year and significant undocumented migration and commercial travel regularly take place. Foreigners, including humanitarian agencies seeking entry and access to certain areas of the country to deliver much-needed aid supplies, are also faced with significant restrictions on their freedom of movement. D. Military operations in ethnic areas and discrimination against minorities 72. The Special Rapporteur has been very concerned about the intensified military campaigns in ethnic areas and their impact on the humanitarian and human rights situation, especially of civilians who are either victims of collateral damage or direct targets. This situation is in connection with the widespread practice of land confiscation throughout the country, which is seemingly aimed at anchoring military control, especially in ethnic areas. It has led to forced evictions, relocations and resettlements, forced migration and internal displacement. After half-a-century of low intensity civil war, many ethnic minorities in Myanmar living along areas bordering with Thailand are highly vulnerable; most armed ethnic groups have either agreed to ceasefires with the Government or been reduced to exhausted remnants in the jungle. The Government and non-State armed groups have the obligation under international humanitarian law to take appropriate measures to protect the civilian population against the effects of conflict. The Special Rapporteur would like to recall that the norms of international customary law provide, in particular, that attacks must not be directed against civilians. 73. The Special Rapporteur believes that the formal engagement of the humanitarian sector of the United Nations provides stronger, essential support in ensuring the integrity and independence of ongoing assistance efforts. He therefore welcomes the engagement of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which appointed a humanitarian coordinator for Myanmar and implemented a number of operational and policy measures agreed upon in the course of a mission by the Assistant Secretary-General in April 2007.