A/HRC/42/CRP.5 278. The Mission investigated six attacks that resulted in the civilian deaths and injuries, including children. Despite the internet shutdown across the region,625 credible reports indicate that attacks following similar patterns continue to occur across the ten affected townships, with arrests, casualties and destruction of property. 626 (a) Mrauk-U town and Ywar Haung Taw, Mrauk-U Township - 18 March 2019 279. Mrauk-U, formerly known as Mrohaung, was the capital of the Mrauk-U Kingdom from 1430 to 1785, the first Arakanese Kingdom. The town’s temples, stupas, monasteries, pagodas and other monuments and structures have religious, historical and cultural significance. There are over 200 temples and pagodas from the ancient town remaining, spread out over an area of 6 by 7 kilometres. For reasons explained in the conclusions and legal findings to this section, the Mission concludes on reasonable grounds that the ancient town of Mrauk-U and various structures within that area constitute “cultural heritage” as defined and protected under international law. 280. The Government recognizes and promotes the area’s cultural significance. It has taken steps to nominate the ancient town of Mrauk-U for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.627 The area has been on a “tentative list” for recognition under the UNESCO 1972 World Heritage Convention since 1996.628 The Final Report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State also noted the cultural significance of Mrauk-U and recommended that steps be taken to ensure its inclusion on the UNESCO list. 629 281. On Monday 18 March 2019, two Tatmadaw attacks took place in Mrauk-U Township, one of the largest townships in Rakhine State. The first attack occurred at approximately 7 pm, when a convoy of approximately eight Tatmadaw trucks filled with soldiers drove into Mrauk-U town and opened fire.630 The attack took place while the convoy drove along the road through various wards of Mrauk-U town. The Mission has been informed that many people were out on the streets at the time. 631 The convoy first passed through Htan Ma Rit and Law Ka Mu wards, with soldiers shooting towards houses, resulting in damage to buildings.632 A KBZ bank opposite a monastery was also damaged by the shooting.633 The convoy continued along the road, with soldiers shooting towards houses, injuring people and damaging property.634 According to media reports and other information that the Mission received, six people suffered bullet wounds as a result of the attack.635 282. The Mission received credible reports that, when the convoy passed through Let Kauk Zay ward in Mrauk-U Town, soldiers fired towards a monastery, damaging a 500 625 626 627 628 629 630 630 631 632 633 634 635 See Chapter V, section G. in this report: The conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army; Threats to freedom of expression, association and the press. See for example: Arakan Information Center, Report of Deaths, Arrests, Refugees, and Military Clashes in Rakhine State, Myanmar, after Internet Shutdown, (23 July 2019) available at: https://www.arakan.news/2019/07/report-of-deaths-arrests-refugees-and.html (Accessed 27August 2019) AM-003, As an example of steps taken, on 22 July 2019, the Deputy Minister for Religious and Cultural Affairs held a meeting between local and foreign experts to finalize the draft nomination of Mrauk-U ancient town as a cultural heritage zone. AM-003, UNESCO, “Myauk-U Archaeological Area and Monuments”, available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/824/ (accessed 9 September 2019). Final Report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, p.58. LI-165, LI-183, LI-214, The Irrawaddy, “Reporter’s Notebook: On the Ground in Mrauk-U” (1 April 2019), The Irrawaddy, “Six Civilians Injured in Shooting, Shelling in Downtown Mrauk-U” (19 March 2019). The Irrawaddy, “Reporter’s Notebook: On the Ground in Mrauk-U” (1 April 2019), The Irrawaddy, “Six Civilians Injured in Shooting, Shelling in Downtown Mrauk-U” (19 March 2019). Ibid. LI-214. LI-183, LI-214, The Irrawaddy, “Reporter’s Notebook: On the Ground in Mrauk-U” (1 April 2019). LI-165, LI-214, The Irrawaddy, “Reporter’s Notebook: On the Ground in Mrauk-U” (1 April 2019). LI-165, The Irrawaddy, “Six Civilians Injured in Shooting, Shelling in Downtown Mrauk-U” (19 March 2019). 87