A/HRC/28/72 reports of continued gaps in essential services, particularly in remote parts of northern Rakhine State. Access to health services, food items, non-food items and education remains restricted. For the Muslim community, that is exacerbated by the restrictions on freedom of movement imposed on them and discrimination in access to basic services. The situation with regard to access to health services and facilities remains of great concern and the Special Rapporteur received numerous reports of preventable deaths, including of young children from diarrhoea and due to complications during childbirth. 45. The Special Rapporteur was informed that shortly before her arrival, state authorities had granted increased access for certain international humanitarian NGOs to camps for internally displaced persons. Humanitarian access is still inadequate and below the levels that existed prior to March 2014. Threats against international NGO and United Nations staff working in Rakhine State remain. On 30 December 2014, a United Nations national staff member was beaten by military authorities in northern Rakhine State during the course of performing his work duties. The Special Rapporteur calls on the authorities to ensure accountability for such acts and to ensure the safety of United Nations and international NGO staff. She notes that the three international NGO national staff arrested in connection with the 2012 violence remain in detention in Buthidaung prison and reiterates her call for their immediate release. 46. Throughout the Special Rapporteur’s visit, controversy around the use of the term “Rohingya” remained prominent. Both government and Rakhine Buddhist representatives explained to the Special Rapporteur that the term “Rohingya” has no historical or legal basis. It was further explained that to validate the Rohingya as an ethnic group could allow a claim of indigenous status and corresponding rights under the Constitution. The Government has therefore insisted that persons identifying as Rohingya be classified as Bengali, which links their ethnic origins to Bangladesh. 20 The Special Rapporteur once again highlights the right of the Rohingya to self-identification according to international human rights law.21 She believes the ongoing focus on the terminology used to describe that group has paralysed progress on addressing important human rights issues and achieving durable solutions. The focus must also be on improving the human rights and humanitarian situation of all persons in Rakhine State, including minority communities who face significant discrimination, oppression and injustice on a daily basis. 47. During her visit, the Special Rapporteur heard a large number of rumours and misconceptions that were spread between the communities and used as justification for measures to suppress the Rohingya. The perception amongst the Rakhine Buddhist population that international support is only for the Rohingya and discriminates against their community is still prevalent. Yet the Special Rapporteur saw the international community making a concerted effort to assist both communities, even by building separate schools and health centres side by side. 48. The issues in Rakhine State also have international implications which should be of concern to all Member States. In particular, the human rights violations that are being committed are generating large numbers of asylum seekers and are encouraging people smuggling and trafficking. A report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released in December 2014 states that approximately 20 21 14 In a letter to the Secretary-General dated 17 November 2014 (A/C.3/69/10), the Government of Bangladesh voiced its objection to the use of the term “Bengali” to identify Muslims in Rakhine State. The right of minorities to self-identify on the basis of their national, ethnic, religious and linguistic characteristics is related to the obligation of States to ensure non-discrimination against individuals and groups — a central principle of international human rights law.

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