A/HRC/13/48 release all those prisoners currently serving sentences for illegal marriage, a topic he raised with the Chief Justice during his last mission. 90. The Special Rapporteur notes that the Government should comply with the conclusions of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which recommended that the Citizenship Act be repealed4 and that in the light of articles 2 (non-discrimination) and 3 (best interests of the child) of the Convention, “abolish the categorization of citizens, as well as the mention on the national identity card of the religion and the ethnic origin of citizens, including children. In the view of the Committee, all possibility of stigmatization and denial of the rights recognized by the Convention should be avoided.”5 91. Also of concern are the extreme restrictions on movement placed on this Muslim population due to their lack of citizenship, which limits their employment opportunities. The situation of poverty appears to be exacerbated by the frequent imposition of arbitrary taxes and forced labour, which has been on the rise since November 2008, as a consequence of military expansion in the area, as well as by the construction of a barbed wire fence along the border in March 2009 to prevent Muslims from travelling back and forth. 92. The impact of these policies of discrimination is felt through family and social breakdowns in the community. The situation has resulted in the exodus of many from the community. In 2009 hundreds attempted the dangerous journeys by boat, risking their lives at sea. Some were pushed back to the sea. Others remain in detention facilities in the countries where they landed. The risk of another mass exodus of people remains unless the economic and social conditions for the community are adequately addressed with respect for their fundamental human rights. 93. In Rakhine State, it is said that only 13 per cent of households are able to meet their food needs for the entire year, and 26 per cent of the population suffers from malnutrition. Between 70 and 90 per cent of a household’s income is allocated to food purchase. Only 30 per cent of the population is said to receive public health care. A third of the population has no access to clean water. Prevalent causes of mortality are malaria, diarrhoea, respiratory and skin infections, intestinal parasites and cholera. The maternal mortality rate is much higher than in the rest of Myanmar (380 women per 100,000 births). There are three doctors per 430,000 people in Maungdaw, and two per 280,000 in Buthidaung. 94. The Special Rapporteur commends the Government on its agreement to extend and strengthen the presence of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Northern Rakhine State, and its identification of key social and economic areas for cooperation, which will be facilitated by the support announced by some donors. The Special Rapporteur hopes that all members of the United Nations Country Team could contribute to this cooperation in the identified areas. G. Living conditions, sustenance, humanitarian assistance 95. The enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights is seriously impeded by the social, economic and development conditions in the country, affecting the most vulnerable populations, including those in remote states and those recovering from Cyclone Nargis. This vulnerability is the result of the Government’s policies, and is further exacerbated by the impact of the global economic crisis, food insecurity and climate change. 4 5 GE.10-11915 CRC/C/15/Add.69, para. 28. Ibid., para. 34. 17