A/HRC/39/CRP.2
place near destroyed or partially destroyed villages, mainly in the surrounding fields. In
13 villages, new structures have been constructed in areas burned during the “clearance
operations” and subsequently cleared. Satellite imagery analysis indicates that the new
construction is mostly security structures as well as new villages and houses, resettlement
camps, and other type of civilian infrastructure.
New villages and houses
1225. On 6 December 2017, the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance,
Resettlement and Development in Rakhine2784 announced a plan for the construction of nearly
800 houses in approximately 26 villages in Maungdaw Township destroyed after 25 August
2017.2785 On 11 January 2018, the Office of the President announced the commencement of
these construction works, including “three repatriation and assessment camps”, with a view
to “accepting and resettling ethnic nationals, Hindus and Muslims” who were displaced by
“terrorist activities”.2786
1226. While satellite imagery analysis confirms that construction is continuing in the
majority of these 26 locations, the Mission notes that the plan foresees the construction of
only 22 houses, approximately three per cent of the total, for displaced Rohingya (referred to
as “Bengali”). These 22 houses are being built in Ywa Thit village in Pan Taw Pyin village
tract, which was almost totally destroyed by fire during the “clearance operations”. 2787 The
remaining 97 per cent of the nearly 800 houses listed in the plan are to be allocated to other
ethnic communities.
1227. For instance, the original plan foresaw the construction of 73 houses for ethnic
Rakhine in Min Gyi, the location of one of the largest and most egregious mass killings. 2788
On 14 May 2018, the authorities announced that this construction in Min Gyi would include
more than 80 houses, a school and a monastery for “displaced ethnic people of Rakhine
State”.2789 Rohingya are not considered as one of Myanmar’s ethnic nationalities and so are
not potential beneficiaries.
1228. As of 26 July 2018, satellite imagery analysis did not show signs of terrain clearance
or reconstruction in Min Gyi village. However, the construction of a new “model village” is
visible in the south of Min Gyi village tract, close to Kyet Kyein village in Done Paik village
tract. It was further reported in the media that houses will be built in the “new” Min Gyi
village which “has been relocated (beside the) Maungdaw-Taung Pyo road”.2790 As of June
2018, approximately 72 new structures were visible in this location (50 fully completed and
foundations for the remaining structures).2791
2784
2785
2786
2787
2788
2789
2790
2791
292
The Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD) in
Rakhine is a public-private enterprise with three stated goals: providing humanitarian assistance,
carrying out resettlement and rehabilitation and working for development in Rakhine State. State
Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi acts as Chairperson and Dr. Win Myat Aye the Union Minister
for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, acts as Vice Chairman.
http://rakhine.unionenterprise.org/
Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine State,
“Nearly 800 houses under construction for displaced villagers in Maungtaw” (News Release, 6
December 2017), http://rakhine.unionenterprise.org/latest-news-en/235-nearly-800-houses-underconstruction-for-displaced-villagers-in-maungtaw.
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar – Presidents Office, “UEHRD leads preparation to receive
displaced persons in Rakhine State” (11 January 2018), http://www.presidentoffice.gov.mm/en/?q=issues/rakhine-state-affairs/id-8308
Satellite imagery analysis by UNITAR-UNOSAT for the Mission confirms the construction of likely
22 buildings in the northern part of the village, on ground cleared of the ruins of over 100 destroyed
Rohingya homes.
See this chapter, section D.1.a: Most serious incidents.
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar – Presidents Office, “More than 80 houses built for ethnic
people in Rakhine” (13 May 2018), http://www.president-office.gov.mm/en/?q=issues/rakhine-stateaffairs/id-8761
V-196.
Satellite imagery analysis prepared for the Mission by UNITAR-UNOSAT.