A/HRC/39/CRP.2 spokesperson reportedly said it was “giving Bengalis preferential treatment”.1542 The organization was not permitted to return to Rakhine State until December 2014. 1543 This left many beneficiaries, particularly in the north of Rakhine State, without access to vital, and in some cases life-saving, health services. 719. On 26 and 27 March 2014, in the lead up to the national census, 1544 the premises of more than 30 United Nations and other international organizations in Sittwe were attacked by large groups of ethnic Rakhine. There was extensive looting and destruction of property.1545 A stray bullet from the security forces engaged in crowd control reportedly struck and killed an ethnic Rakhine child. 1546 Around 300 humanitarian staff members were temporarily evacuated and most humanitarian activities ceased for four weeks. The dominant narrative is that the violence was sparked by reports that a Buddhist flag, hung in opposition to the census, had been removed by a humanitarian worker from outside her house. 1547 However, credible reports indicate that the violence was coordinated and pre-planned.1548 Shortly afterwards, on 29 March 2014, the Government reneged on an explicit commitment to allow the Rohingya to self-identify in the census. 720. These incidents had a significant impact on the provision of services to both communities, but particularly to the Rohingya. By June 2014, the capacity of the humanitarian community was only 60 per cent of what it was before March 2014,1549 leaving populations in need without access to vital services for a prolonged period. 721. During this period, the Government also reportedly started to require that the Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine communities each receive 50 per cent of any assistance, regardless of humanitarian need.1550 The Emergency Coordination Center (ECC), a body intended to facilitate humanitarian activities in Rakhine State, was expanded to include local Rakhine community leaders alongside the original membership of the authorities and police.1551 The delay in resumption of humanitarian operations appears to have been at least to some extent due to the ECC.1552 The ECC also appears to have taken on a monitoring function, to ensure “balanced” distribution of aid. 1553 722. Ethnic Rakhine national staff of international organizations faced threats and intimidation from their community and reported feeling like traitors for continuing their work.1554 International staff faced harassment in the streets and in some cases threats. 1555 723. Successive United Nations Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights in Myanmar were met with protests and in some cases faced threats. In August 2013, then Special Rapporteur Thomas Quintana was surrounded with demonstrators, some of whom punched and kicked the doors of vehicles in his convoy when he attempted to visit Meiktila (Mandalay Region) after the violent attacks against the Muslim community. 1556 In January 2015, during a public rally promoting the “Race and Religion” bills,1557 Ashin Wirathu called 1542 1543 1544 1545 1546 1547 1548 1549 1550 1551 1552 1553 1554 1555 1556 1557 V-053, V-333. V-335. See this chapter, introduction. K-069.9; V-337. V-338. Ibid, V-339. K-069.10; V-168, V-337. V-340. V-169. K-069.11. K-069.12. V-169. K-069.11. V-341. V-168; Tomás Ojea Quintana, “Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar” (21 August 2013), available at: http://yangon.sites.unicnetwork.org/2013/08/21/statement-of-the-special-rapporteur-on-the-situationof-human-rights-in-myanmar-2/ See this chapter, section B.5.b: Restrictions related to marriage and child. 171