A/HRC/42/CRP.5 second group was subsequently referred to as an “insurgent group” by the Government. 1498 In 2009 the Tatmadaw took over the Kokang region by force.1499 629. After six years in exile in China, 1500 Peng Jiasheng returned to the region in 2015 with a new force, again called the MNDAA.1501 Hostilities erupted between 9 February and 10 June 2015,1502 leading more than 100,000 people to seek refuge in China and approximately 13,000 others to flee within Myanmar to Lashio.1503 On 9 February 2015, the MNDAA issued a statement in which it “vowed to continue its fight against the Government until its demands for ethnic equality, regional development and selfdetermination are fulfilled”.1504 During that period, until 17 November 2015,1505 the Government proclaimed a state of emergency and imposed martial law in the Kokang region.1506 630. The Mission received reports that, during the 2015 Kokang offensive, the Tatmadaw targeted people for their suspected affiliations or support to the MNDAA based on their ethnicity, by attacks on villages, arrest and detention, torture, enforced disappearances, unlawful killings and sexual violence.1507 The Tatmadaw also denied humanitarian relief to the Kokang and attacked humanitarian convoys.1508 631. The MNDAA’s conduct in Kokang during and after the 2015 offensive requires further investigation.1509 For example, on 19 February 2015, members of the MNDAA 1498 1499 1500 1501 1502 1503 1504 1505 1506 1507 1508 1509 Xinhua - News Agency, “Roundup: Armed groups in Myanmar start to respond to government call for peace talks” (11 September 2011). Tim Johnston, “China Urges Burma to Bridle Ethnic Militia Uprising at Border” (The Washington Post Foreign Service, 29 August 2009. E. Han, “Geopolitics, Ethnic Conflicts along the Border, and Chinese Foreign Policy Changes toward Myanmar”, Asian Security, vol 13(1), 2017, p. 64. On 22 December 2014, Peng Jiasheng, the leader of MNDAA that was ousted in 2009, gave an interview to the Chinese newspaper “Global Times”, where he stated he was be ready to fight again, had gathered an army, and that he wanted to annex Kokang to China by referendum, which appealed to Chinese nationalists. See http://world.huanqiu.com/exclusive/2014-12/5307556.html Nang Mya Nadi and Aye Nai, “By truck, by bike, by foot – the exodus from Laogai” (ReliefWeb, 13 February 2015); Ye Mon and Lun Min Mang, “Government rejects MNDAA offer for ceasefire negotiations” (Myanmar Times, 20 February 2015); Simon Lewis, “Displaced from Kokang: The plight of Myanmar’s IDPs” (Devex, 23 March 2015). Simon Lewis, “Displaced from Kokang: The plight of Myanmar’s IDPs” (Devex, 23 March 2015); OCHA Humanitarian Bulletin: Issue 2 (1-28 February 2015); OCHA Humanitarian Bulletin: Issue 3 (1-31 March 2015). Nang Mya Nadi (DVB), “Kokang enlist allies’ help in fight against Burma army” (Democratic Voice of Burma, 10 February 2015). K-063.23. China Gate, “Myanmar extends state of emergency period in Kokang region for third time” 18 August 2015; The Irrawaddy, “Parliament Renews Martial Law in Kokang Territory” (18 August 2015). PI-015, PI-098, PI-016, PI-017, PI-157, QI-092, K-064.1; K-069.3, V-158; Shan Human Rights Foundation, “Killing, beheading and disappearance of villagers instill fear of return among Kokang refugees” (11 May 2015); Shan Human Rights Foundation, “Situation Update by Shan Human Rights Foundation - Shooting, killing and torture of civilians by Burma Army during Kokang Conflict” (4 March 2015); Saw Yan Naing, “Fighting Creates Chaos, Danger for Civilians in Kokang Town” (The Irrawaddy, 16 February 2015); Shan Human Rights Foundation, “Urgent update by the Shan Human Rights Foundation” (17 March 2015); Li Tong and Qian Long, “Businessman Tied to Kokang Rebel Leader Dies in Custody of Myanmar Authorities” (Radio Free Asia, 9 March 2015); Shan Human Rights Foundation, “Burma Army expansion, abuses along Kokang-China border creating scores of “ghost villages”” (21 April 2016); Simon Lewis, “Displaced from Kokang: The plight of Myanmar’s IDPs” (Devex, 23 March 2015). A/HRC/39/CRP.2, para. 302; Simon Lewis, “Displaced from Kokang: The plight of Myanmar’s IDPs” (Devex, 23 March 2015). K-069.3, V-158. K-063.23, K-064.1, SM-001, V-159; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, “Myanmar Red Cross Society mourns the death of a volunteer” (3 April 2015); Moe Zaw, “Myanmar, Kokang Rebels Spar Over Red Cross Attack” (VOA, 18 February 2015). PI-015; Lee Tung, “‘This War Has Been Disastrous For Civilians’” (Radio Free Asia, 5 March 2015); The Straits Times (AFP), “Dozens injured as prison convoy attacked in Myanmar: media” (24 February 2015); Zarni Mann, “Prisoners Injured During Prison Transfer in Kokang Conflict Zone” 167