A/HRC/42/CRP.5
of four bridges were damaged in northern Shan State 1273 and that interruption of
transportation in some areas resulted in an increase in prices of food and other life
sustaining items.1274
541. The Mission received reports indicating that the EAOs used heavy weapons during
the attacks1275 and that, in Lashio Township, their targeting of Tatmadaw positions located
near civilian populated areas resulted in injury to at least two civilians, including an infant,
and damage to civilian property.1276
542. Additional unverified reports received by the Mission indicate that Brotherhood
Alliance fighters restricted the movement of civilians in the areas affected by the conflict
and set fire to several civilian vehicles on 29 and 30 August 2019.1277 The Mission received
information of civilians trapped in conflict areas and unable to flee. 1278
543. The Secretary-General’s latest report on Children and Armed Conflict reported on
eight attacks in 2018, five against schools and three against hospitals. Six of the attacks
were in Kachin State and two were in Shan State. The report attributed two of the attacks to
the KIA and one to the SSA-S.1279
Putting civilians in harm’s way
2.
544. The Mission received reports that the KIA,1280 the SSA-S,1281 the SSA-N1282 and the
TNLA1283 placed military objects and fighters in and around civilian populated areas.
Information received by the Mission indicates that at least one of the SSA-S’s headquarters
is located near an educational facility.1284 The Mission also received several accounts of
EAO fighters using civilian houses as places to rest and eat while on the move 1285.
Information also indicates that EAO fighters with or without uniforms and weapons
regularly visited villages or IDP camps in areas under their control to procure supplies,
participate in local celebrations or attend religious services. 1286 A source told the Mission
that EAO fighters use schools in remote villages as places to sleep. 1287
545. According to accounts received by the Mission, the KIA has a policy by which
fighters are not allowed to wear uniforms or carry weapons when in civilian populated
areas, including IDP camps. Some witnesses told the Mission that KIA fighters would only
enter civilian populated areas in civilian clothes.1288
546. The Mission documented cases in which the proximity of EAO fighters, wearing
uniforms and carrying weapons, to civilians, coupled with the opposing force’s known
disregard for the principles of precaution and distinction, was likely responsible for severe
harm to civilians. For example, in October 2018, in Kuktai Township, Shan State, a woman
was injured as a result of shooting by Tatmadaw soldiers belonging to the 99 th LID in a
civilian populated area.1289 The Mission received information that, at the time of the
incident, KIA soldiers wearing uniforms and carrying weapons were present in the village
1273
1274
1275
1276
1277
1278
1279
1280
1281
1282
1283
1284
1285
1286
1287
1288
1289
FFFGEN-1555826851-4879.
FFFGEN-1555826851-1999.
V-397, V-398, V-420.
FFFGEN-1555826851-1999.
FFFGEN-1555826851-4879, V-419.
V-372, V-374.
A/73/907–S/2019/509 para 130.
1059, 1063, 1074, 1335, 1378, PI-156, PI-161, PI-162, V-347 pag.28, V-348 pag. 41
1078, PM-010, V-347 pag.28, V-348 pag. 41
1414, V-347 pag.28, V-348 pag. 41
PI-165, V-347 pag.28, V-348 pag. 41, PI-121, PI-123, PI-164, FFFGEN-1-85853.
PM-010.
1335, 1414, 1378, GI-57, PI-156, PI-161, 1063, GI-020, 1059, PI-165, PI-122, PM-010.
1335, 1414, 1378, GI-57, PI-156, PI-161, 1063, GI-020, 1059, PI-165, PI-122, PM-010, V-347 p..28,
V-348 p. 41.
PM-010.
1059, GI-009, PI-161, GI-020.
GI-033, 2143.
147
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