A/HRC/42/CRP.5 reportedly attacked the Tatmadaw dressed in non-combat clothing in a manner that appears to have put villagers in the area at risk. 1510 The media reported that in response, because MNDAA fighters were not wearing their uniform, the Tatmadaw unintentionally shot and harmed villagers.1511 The MNDAA also reportedly abducted people in the course of their military operations.1512 For example, in March 2016, a media source reported that the MNDAA abducted 260 hotel workers.1513 The Mission also received reports of arbitrary forced recruitment and forced labour by the MNDAA that require further investigation. 1514 632. Heavier fighting commenced again in early 2017, forcing 30,000 ethnic Kokang to flee to China and internally displacing another 2,000.1515 The Mission received credible reports that, in early March 2017, at least 30 people were killed when the MNDAA launched an attack against police and military posts in the Kokang region. 1516 A separate group of fighters later attacked locations in Laukkai.1517 Official Government statements, accompanied by graphic pictures of the dead and wounded, stated that at least ten people, including five local police officers, were killed in the fighting. The Government also said that a further 20 “burned bodies” had been found alongside weapons reportedly of MNDAA fighters.1518 Conclusions 633. The recent escalation of hostilities in Shan State has the potential to trigger renewed violence in the Kokang region, further weakening the fragile ceasefire in northern Myanmar. The Mission was unable to make findings or draw legal conclusions on the basis of its limited research on the human rights situation in the Kokang region. However, it strongly recommends that further investigations be conducted into the situation. In the meantime, it calls on all parties to the conflicts to respect and ensure respect for international human rights and international humanitarian law and to collaborate with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies to allow humanitarian relief to reach the most vulnerable. 1510 1511 1512 1513 1514 1515 1516 1517 1518 168 (The Irrawaddy, 24 February 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” (The Irrawaddy, 24 February 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” (The Irrawaddy, 24 February 2015) PI-015; The Global New Light of Myanmar, “Kokang insurgents commit unlawful acts in Laukkai” (20 February 2015). PI-015; Lee Tung, “‘This War Has Been Disastrous For Civilians’” (Radio Free Asia, 5 March 2015). Democratic Voice of Burma, “Questions raised over reported Kokang kidnapping” (11 October 2016); Ann Wang, “China-linked rebels’ casino cash grab stills Myanmar border city” (Post Magazine, 4 June 2017). Latin American Herald Tribune, “Rebels Abduct 260 Hotel Workers from Northern Myanmar” (3 September 2019). PI-015, QI-92; AsiaNews, “Thousands of civilians flee fighting between ethnic militias in Shan State” (11 January 2019); FFFGEN-1-86925; A/HRC/39/CRP.2, para. 339 and 344. OCHA Humanitarian Bulletin: Issue 1 (February to May 2017); Malay Mail, “China calls for ceasefire as thousands flee Myanmar border town” (7 March 2017); Kan Thar and Wai Mar Tun, “20,000 Refugees Flee Myanmar’s Kokang Conflict Across the Border Into China” (Radio Free Asia, 8 March 2017); Wai Mar Tun, “More Myanmar Refugees Seek Safety in China From Kokang Conflict” (Radio Free Asia, 13 March 2017). A/HRC/39/CRP.2, para. 332. The Global New Light of Myanmar, “Civilians, police killed in Laukkai attack by MNDAA” (7 March 2017); Al-Jazeera, “Deadly clashes hit Kokang in Myanmar’s Shan state” (6 March 2017); Malay Mail, “China calls for ceasefire as thousands flee Myanmar border town” (7 March 2017); Latin American Herald Tribune, “Rebels Abduct 260 Hotel Workers from Northern Myanmar” (3 September 2019). V-302, V-303.