A/HRC/10/19 page 14 60. In Mon State, fighting between the Monland Resistance Party and the military continued. During a three-month offensive by the army from June to August 2008 in southern Ye Township, civilians were allegedly tortured and forcibly conscripted into local militia forces. It is reported that, in Thanbyuzayat township, land was confiscated for the construction of rubber and castor oil plantations and farmers were arbitrarily taxed. Furthermore, civilians were allegedly forced to guard the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay gas pipeline in Mudon. In Thanbyuzayat and Kyaikmayaw townships, it is said that civilians were forced to construct security outposts every 500 metres. 61. In November 2008, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women expressed deep concern at the high prevalence of sexual and other forms of violence, including rape, perpetrated against rural women from the Shan, Mon, Karen, Palaung and Chin ethnic groups by members of the armed forces. The Committee also expressed concern at the apparent impunity of the perpetrators of such violence (although a few cases have been prosecuted) and at reports of threats against and intimidation and punishment of the victims. On 27 December 2008, the body of a 7-year-old girl was found raped and shot dead, near her house in Ma Oo Bin village, Kyauk Township, Nyaunglebin District, in northern Kayin State. No action has yet been taken against the perpetrator of the crime, allegedly from the Light Infantry 350, which has since moved away from the area. As in all other such previous cases, justice must be done. The family of the victim and other community members must be protected from any retaliation for seeking justice. Some 450,000 people are said to be internally displaced in Myanmar because of armed conflicts around the country. 62. The Special Rapporteur urges the Government and all armed groups to ensure the protection of civilians, in particular children and women, during armed conflict. He calls upon the Government to abide by international humanitarian law, especially the four Geneva Conventions, to which Myanmar is a party. In particular, article 3 of the Geneva Conventions provides for the protection of civilians from inhumane treatment and violence to life and person. 63. The use of anti-personnel mines along the border areas of Myanmar, particularly near the eastern border, poses a serious threat to the lives of villagers. Both the military and non-State armed groups use anti-personnel mines. It is reported that landmines are commonly used for purposes such as restricting the movement of people, hindering the movement of troops, or for marking concession parameters. Particularly worrying is the reported practice of human minesweepers, whereby civilians are forced by the military to clear brush in suspected mined areas or to serve as porters for the military in areas where there is a mine hazard. According to reports, civilians have been requested to remove mines without training or protective equipment, or to repair fences in mined areas; serious casualties have been reported. The Special Rapporteur calls for the implementation of a moratorium on the use of landmines and for accession to the Mine Ban Treaty. He encourages the authorities to seek effective international cooperation and support in order to begin efforts for mine clearance and to provide support to victims of landmines. 64. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned over the practice of forced labour without compensation or payment and various forms of extortion and arbitrary taxations. 65. The Special Rapporteur reminds the Government of its obligations to fully implement Legislative Order No. 1/1999 on the Eradication of Forced Labour. There have been numerous