A/HRC/31/71 Rakhine and southern Chin States between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar army, displacing hundreds of people. 56. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that the rights of internally displaced persons and those affected by conflict must be addressed as a priority. The United Nations and its partners should have regular, independent and predictable access to all those needing humanitarian assistance. The Government and all parties to the conflict should grant immediate access to all sites hosting internally displaced persons. She welcomes the commitment to the voluntary return of displaced persons in the national ceasefire agreement and the commencement of small, local projects to provide durable solutions to displaced persons in Kachin State. The presence of an estimated 230,000 internally displaced persons in a situation of protracted displacement in the south-east of Myanmar and thousands more in Shan and Kachin States make such programmes vitally important. Any returns must be in compliance with the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and the Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons. Steps must be taken to ensure that the informal or private education of internally displaced children is recognized, and that they have access to public education when they return. Returning individuals should also be assisted in reacquiring legal documents, which are the gateway to other services. 57. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are a major factor preventing the return of internally displaced persons, with casualties from landmines estimated at 3,700 in the past 15 years, but likely to be far higher.9 The Special Rapporteur was particularly concerned at reports of the continuing use of landmines, resulting in casualties and injuries. She calls upon all parties to the conflict to cease immediately the use of landmines. The Special Rapporteur was informed that Myanmar continued to study the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, and calls again for its prompt signature. The mapping and clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance should be prioritized, and receive assistance from the international community. 58. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the inclusion of the principles of equality and non-discrimination, justice and the right to self-determination in the national ceasefire agreement. Numerous human rights concerns are also addressed in general terms. Having been informed in August 2015 that the dialogue following the agreement would address these issues in more detail, she followed the progress of the first Union Peace Conference (held from 12 to 16 January 2016) closely. She welcomes the inclusion of land and natural resource concerns in discussions, and stresses that these complex issues – as well as broader entrenched inequalities – should be addressed in future talks. She notes that only a limited number of representatives of civil society organizations were able to attend the conference, leading some to feel excluded from the process. The Myanmar Peace Center informed the Special Rapporteur that national dialogues will be organized throughout the country before the next Union Peace Conference, and that civil society will have the opportunity to “play the most important role.” Shared ownership and confidence are needed to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders and affected communities. She urges full consultation with local communities and civil society organizations in future. 59. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the commitment to achieve at least a 30 per cent participation by women at different levels of the political dialogue in the four-point proposals approved at the conference. This is the first step in ensuring the greater inclusion of women in the peace process. Women should, in accordance with Security Council 9 Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, Landmine Monitor 2015, November 2015 The organization Mine Free Myanmar estimates 40,000 casualties. 13