A/HRC/22/58
human rights violations are not properly addressed, the Special Rapporteur offers his
support to the Government to pursue further investigations and recommends that the
Government consider asking OHCHR to support fact finding and monitoring in Rakhine
State, in addition to supporting ongoing humanitarian efforts. He emphasizes that
establishing the truth of what has happened and holding those responsible to account will
be integral to reconciliation and re-establishing trustful and harmonious relations between
communities.
50.
The Special Rapporteur visited IDP camps in Sittwe (Min Gan and Thet Kal Pyin
camps), Pauk Taw (Kyine Ni Pyin camp) and Myebon (Taung Paw camp). He
acknowledges the Government’s efforts and collaboration with the United Nations and
humanitarian organizations to improve the conditions in these camps since his visit last
August, including the provision of food, shelter and access to water and sanitation.
51.
He is concerned, however, about the lack of adequate health care in the larger
Muslim camps, which he saw in Taung Paw camp, and urges the central and State
authorities to ensure that adequate medical care is provided to all IDP camps. He notes that
this is not just a matter of lack of resources, but requires the safe passage of humanitarian
assistance to these camps. He learnt during his recent visit that local and international
medical staff are unable to provide medical care to some of the Muslim camps due to the
threats and harassment they face from local Rakhine Buddhist communities. The Special
Rapporteur urges the local authorities to send a clear message through their networks that
the harassment of staff is not acceptable.
52.
The Special Rapporteur is concerned that, with the rainy season approaching in May
and question marks over the maintenance of donor support, concerns over food and water
may again resurface. He therefore urges the Government to ease restrictions on freedom of
movement of persons inside the Rohingya IDP camps in order to ease dependency on aid
by enabling people to fish, tend their land, and engage in trade and financial transactions.
Easing restrictions on freedom of movement is also important for the mental health and
human dignity of the people in these camps. This was highlighted to the Special Rapporteur
during his visit to Taung Paw camp, which he described as feeling more like a prison than
an IDP camp. In addition to easing restrictions on freedom of movement, the Government
needs to take steps to reassure the people that it is not intending to make these camps
permanent segregated settlements by consulting with them on plans for their voluntary
return to their villages or relocation in Rakhine State. The coming rainy season in May,
which will flood many of these camps, further increases the urgency of relocation in order
to avoid a humanitarian disaster.
53.
The Special Rapporteur has received reports that Muslim villagers, particularly in
northern Rakhine State, have had their freedom of movement restricted by security forces,
including Nasaka, to the point where they cannot access food or their livelihoods. He urges
the Government to take immediate steps to ease these restrictions.
54.
Throughout his mandate, the Special Rapporteur has received a large number of
allegations of human rights violations committed by Nasaka. In view of the ongoing
seriousness of these allegations, particularly against the Muslim community during the
recent violence, he urges the Government to fundamentally reform this border security
force and, in the meantime, suspend all of Nasaka’s operations in Rakhine State.
55.
Speaking to IDPs, community leaders and local officials during his latest visit, the
Special Rapporteur is aware that feelings of fear, distrust, hatred and anger remain high
between communities. To address this requires leadership from the Government to end the
stigmatization of the stateless population in Rakhine State. It also requires education,
responsible local journalism, and mutually respectful dialogue between community leaders
in which both sides are willing to make compromises to find solutions. During his visit to
12
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