A/HRC/39/CRP.2
those who have sustained less serious injuries and survived the journey to Bangladesh, who
were able to meet Mission members, and from whom forensic information could be gathered.
The Mission conducted forensic analysis of photo-documented injuries, and in some cases
the medical records, of more than 50 victims whom the Mission also interviewed. This has
allowed for an objective assessment as to whether the injuries corroborate specific
allegations, and as such contributes to the overall assessment of the credibility and reliability
of witnesses. In general, the forensic assessment of the documented injuries has provided
additional corroboration of allegations, sometimes strong corroboration. In a small number
of cases, the information was neutral, because of lack of detail or non-specificity of injuries,
and in only one case has the information undermined the credibility of the allegation made.
In general, where the injured victim is a child, the very presence of an injury such as a gunshot
wound is itself of great concern.
917. Illustrative examples of additional corroboration that forensic analysis has provided
include: (1) a schoolboy from Tha Yet Oke, Maungdaw Township, who was the victim of a
land-mine explosion and sustained extensive burns to all four limbs and a fracture of the right
lower leg2046; (2) a 10-year old girl from Chut Pyin, Rathedaung Township, who was shot
twice while crawling on the ground and had two untreated gunshot wounds in her legs 2047;
(3) an 11-year old girl from Ngan Chaung, Maungdaw Township, who suffered an extensive
burn injury when her home was hit by a “launcher” and set on fire 2048; and (4) a 10-year old
girl from Kyein Chaung, Maungdaw Township, who suffered multiple sharp force head
wounds from repeated blows from a large knife inflicted by a Tatmadaw soldier. 2049; and (5)
a 45-year old woman from Myo Thu Gyi, Maungdaw Township, who was shot in both feet
while attempting to flee.2050
918. Clinics, including the Sadar Hospital in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong Medical College
Hospital, both in Bangladesh, also treated patients with violence-related injuries. Many
private hospitals and clinics in southern Bangladesh also treated Rohingya patients. Other
medical reports from clinics and medical professionals who treated gunshot victims in
Bangladesh have confirmed that many patients, including women, children and the elderly,
had bullet entry points from behind, consistent with being shot while fleeing. 2051
919. No consolidated data is available on the numbers who received treatment or the nature
of their injuries. Moreover, many Rohingya in Bangladesh did not seek treatment for their
injuries, due to difficulties accessing services in the camps in Bangladesh, particularly in the
initial weeks and months when demand greatly exceeded available services. The Mission
observed that a number of its interviewees in Bangladesh, with serious bullet or stabbingrelated wounds, had not sought medical treatment. It appears that, for many Rohingya, the
practice of not seeking professional medical care, even for serious injuries, has been
normalised by the lack of access to professional medical services in northern Rakhine
State.2052
Rape, gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence
920. Rape and other sexual and gender-based violence were perpetrated on a massive scale
during the “clearances operations” from 25 August 2017. This includes mass gang rapes,
sexually humiliating acts, sexual slavery and sexual mutilations. 2053 Rohingya women and
girls were the main victims, although there were some instances involving men and boys.
Young women and girls were particularly targeted for sexual violence and were
disproportionally affected. The main perpetrators were the Tatmadaw, although other
security forces, and sometimes ethnic Rakhine men, were also involved.
2046
2047
2048
2049
2050
2051
2052
2053
212
BI-004.
LI-009.
LI-071.
WI-004.
WI-011.
K-155, V-085.
See chapter V.B.3: Restrictions on access to food, livelihoods, health care and education.
Women and girls were also subjected to sexual assault during body searches for jewellery and money.