A/HRC/39/CRP.2 individuals for trying to escape or for refusing to participate, or simply because they were unable to continue working.226 The following examples are illustrative: • A witness described the events in December 2016 that led to the killing of one of his neighbours in a village near Myitkyina in Kachin State. 15 Tatmadaw soldiers approached the plantation where he was working, together with three other villagers: The soldiers asked for our names, identification documents and some other basic information. Initially the situation did not seem too worrying. But then the soldiers told us that we needed to go and work for them. One of the men, my friend who was 28 years old, said he couldn’t go because he had to look after his family. The soldiers became angry and threatened us. My friend tried to run away, but one of the senior officers shot him in the back and he fell. My friend died. Later, I saw the soldiers throw his body into the river. The soldiers threatened us that, if we did not do as they requested, they would shoot us like they had shot my friend.227 • Another witness explained that he saw how another individual was killed while they were both engaged in forced labour in May 2012, in Puta-O Township, Kachin State: We were forced to put up a fence, and to clean the surrounding area at a new military camp. Another villager found the work very difficult. He could not walk, was very tired, and he fell. The soldiers were very angry and told him to get up. Although he begged them not to kill him, he was shot in the head from close range and died.228 • In another case, in January 2017 in Muse Township, Shan State, a witness described an account of two villagers who were killed when they were no longer able to carry the heavy materials: More than 20 villagers were taken by the military for portering, to carry things for them. I heard after some returned 12 days later that they were not properly fed. Two villagers were taken for about one month. One villager who was not able to carry what he had been asked to, was beaten to death. Another villager who had become weak was shot and killed. I saw their bodies when I had to retrieve them. 229 Commonalities 155. In nearly all reports of unlawful killings received by the Mission, Tatmadaw soldiers were the perpetrators. In some cases, militia groups were also involved. 230 For example, on 1 March 2017, the Kachin Defence Army (KDA), working alongside the Tatmadaw, in Kutkai Township, Shan State, allegedly killed a 24-year old Ta’ang man and injured a number of others, apparently on suspicion of their membership in an armed group. The victim was shot in the back as he attempted to flee when the Tatmadaw and KDA entered the house, and was then stabbed. Other men were also wounded. The victim’s body was found by his family at Lashio morgue a few days later.231 156. Victims and witnesses consistently describe how the Tatmadaw repeatedly targets individuals of the same ethnic background as specific armed groups. 232 When the Tatmadaw believes an individual belongs to or sympathizes with an EAO, it needs no proof beyond sharing the same ethnicity of that EAO. This specifically affects men between the ages of 18 and 40 years old, considered of fighting age. 233 In addition to the cases cited above, a witness recounted for example that her 21-year old husband was killed by Tatmadaw soldiers at the 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 DI-057, DI-063, PI-077, PI-090, QI-078, QI-086, QI-095. DI-063. QI-078. DI-057. PI-070; PI-054; PI-053; SI-004; V-018; see this chapter, section A.8 : Emblematic incidents (Tanai). PI-070. DI-067, PI-034, PI-040, PI-041, PI-053, PI-054, PI-065, PI-074, PI-090, QI-095; see this chapter, section A.8 : Emblematic incidents (Tanai). PI-040, PI-053, PI-054, PI-062, PI-065, PI-074, QI-095. 41