A/HRC/42/CRP.5 Part of an image of a NVC151 89. Overall, Rohingya the Mission spoke to, did not believe NVCs provide a clear pathway to citizenship.152 They perceived NVCs as unwarranted because their ancestors were nationals of Myanmar, who actively participated in democratic processes, including elections, and some of whom held senior ministerial positions in the country. 153 They assert a right to be recognised as full citizens and to be treated equally with other ethnic groups. 154 An interviewee told the Mission: We are citizens of Myanmar. Our grandparents were citizens of Myanmar. The Government introduced NVC to deprive us of our nationality. We will never give in to pressure and will never accept NVC. We knew by accepting the NVC, we would run into more sophisticated problems.155 90. These attitudes are well-founded and understandable. Statements by government officials demonstrate that the “clearance operations” beginning on 25 August 2017 were a response to Rohingya villagers collectively refusing to accept NVCs and, that the “clearance operations” were not aimed at crushing the ARSA, as the Government claimed.156 The Mission has evidence that these statements were made at important village meetings, in front of large audiences of soldiers and Rohingya civilians, immediately preceding the “clearance operations” against the Rohingya. 91. At a 22 August 2017 meeting in the village of Chut Pyin in northern Rathedaung Township, a Tatmadaw commander from the 33 rd LID told a group of Rohingya villagers, in the presence of members of the 33 rd LID, that he would kill and burn them if they did not accept the NVCs.157 The commander told the audience,158 “We came from Yangon, from LID 33. You don’t belong to this country. As you are here, we gave you place to stay. You have to live here as how we want, we decide. You have to follow our order. We came from Kachin and Shan. We killed many people. We came here directly from there. We will kill 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 30 Copy of NVC received in July 2019 from a card-holder currently in Rakhine State. Copy on file with the Mission. FI-015, FI-018, FI-019, FI-024, FI-025, FI-027. FI-018, FI-051, Aljazeera, “Who are the Rohingya”, 18 April 2018. CI-298, CI-301, FI-018. FI-018. CI-298, CI-302, CI-303, FI-022, FI-024, FI-038, FI-039, FI-044, FI-051. CI -185, CI-186, CI-199, RI-001, RI-018, CI-191. CI-191.