A/HRC/39/CRP.2 443. There are also reported instances of rape by Tatmadaw troops in other contexts. One interviewee described the rape of an adult female relative by a Tatmadaw soldier, while she was cutting firewood near the forest in Ponnagyun Township.1006 In a more recent case, one interviewee from Buthidaung Township described the general attitude of Tatmadaw soldiers towards Rakhine villagers in the aftermath of the post-25 August 2017 violence in Rakhine State and the attempted rape she was subjected to: After 25 August 2017, there was an explosion and a lot of commotion. Villagers initially relied on the Tatmadaw soldiers because they thought they would protect us. However, soldiers did not do anything to protect Rakhine villagers. Instead, they made the villagers cook for them and took some women. I said I didn’t want to cook for them but they dragged me to a military base close to my house. When I arrived, I saw four other Rakhine women. There was a group of about a dozen soldiers. They grabbed our hands and touched us. They tried to take off my clothes and rape me. We were all screaming. They shut our mouths with their hands but some still managed to shout. We were about to get raped, but my uncle and others arrived and we were released. The soldiers didn’t provide any security. Instead, they stole from us and grabbed us.1007 5. Emblematic incident: shooting in Mrauk-U on 16 January 2018 444. The Mission received reports of repressive action against the assertion of ethnic Rakhine identity. An emblematic case is the use of excessive force in relation to a demonstration in the Rakhine city of Mrauk-U against the cancellation of an annual ethnic Rakhine event. The Mission interviewed eyewitnesses of the incident. 1008 445. Mrauk-U was the last capital of the ancient Arakanese Kingdom, with a majority of the population of Rakhine ethnicity. An annual ceremony is held to mark the end of the rule of the Arakan dynasty following the conquest of the area by Bamar forces. After an initial postponement due to delays in obtaining permission from the authorities, the 233 rd anniversary celebrations were scheduled for 16 January 2018. Ethnic Rakhine from across the state arrived in Mrauk-U. However, the authorities suddenly cancelled the evening events. The news spread among the crowd, which had gathered to attend the event. The crowd started to demonstrate against the decision. One witness recalled: People had started to gather in Mrauk-U since the morning. We were in the city and ready for the celebration that night. However, we were unexpectedly informed that the celebration was cancelled. So, the gathering became a demonstration instead of a celebration.1009 446. Event participants went to the main police station and then to the District Administration office, to know the reason for the cancellation. At the District Administration office, the security forces had closed the gate to prevent the crowd from entering. The demonstration continued outside, with a large crowd gathered. At 6.30 pm, it appears that a decision was made to cut the power supply to the streetlights in the area. 1010 447. The police stationed inside the compound then fired a series of live rounds. It is reported that they first fired into the air. Local media also stated that protestors “launched stones with slingshots and threw bricks” at the security forces, and at one point tried to seize the weapons of two police officers.1011 The Government subsequently claimed that the police fired about 20 warning shots with assault rifles and about 40 warning shots with bolt-action rifles.1012 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 108 DI-014. DI-041. CI-161, DI-042, DI-043. DI-042. Global New Light of Myanmar, “Seven killed, 12 injured in Mrauk-U riot” (18 January 2018). Ibid. Republic of the Union of Myanmar - Ministry of Information, “Seven killed, 12 injured in Mrauk-U riot” (17 January 2018).