A/HRC/39/CRP.2
Campaign of increased intimidation by the Myanmar security forces
Increased presence of security forces
1097. The presence of security forces near Rohingya villages increased following October
2016. New military camps and checkpoints were established inside villages,2457 for example,
a new BGP checkpoint near Tin May, Buthidaung Township; 2458 a temporary military camp
in Nan Yar Kone, near Buthidaung town;2459 and a new police checkpoint in Pa Da Kar Ywar
Thit, northern Maungdaw Township. 2460
1098. Additional troops were stationed inside existing military or BGP compounds 2461 or
occupied community structures such as schools and religious buildings. 2462 Following the
9 October 2016 attack on Koe Tan Kauk BGP base, additional Tatmadaw soldiers were
stationed in the Chein Khar Li village military compound, located in Koe Tan Kauk village
tract, providing additional support.2463
1099. In Myin Hlut, Maungdaw Township, early August saw increased foot patrols of 50 to
100 personnel from security forces, and greater movement of military vehicles. Previously,
Tatmadaw soldiers were rarely seen in the area.2464
1100. This build up became particularly pronounced after 10 August 2017, when elements
of the 33rd and 99th LIDs arrived in northern Rakhine State.2465
Arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and ill-treatment
1101. The increased presence of security forces resulted in more frequent patrols, during
which villagers were often beaten, particularly targeting young men. 2466 These patrols led to
a range of other violations against Rohingya, including an increase in arbitrary arrests and
looting.
1102. Wealthy, educated and influential men were often targeted for arbitrary arrests,
purportedly in an effort to locate ARSA members or gather information about their activities.
Those arrested were often beaten or tortured, and accused of being ARSA members, with
security forces often saying they were looking for “bad people” or “anti-government
people”.2467 Release usually required the payment of bribes.2468 This practice was widespread
across the three townships. One Rohingya man from Pwint Hpyu Chaung, Maungdaw
Township, described his experience following the October 2016 attacks:
They broke the door to my shop open, tied me up and beat me for five hours. Then I
was taken to the military camp. They kept me for three days and three nights in a
kneeling position with my hands tied behind my back. I was together with 25 other
Rohingya men. We were not even offered water. They tortured us in many ways: they
forced the barrel of the gun in our mouths, stubbed burning cigarettes into our flesh,
2457
2458
2459
2460
2461
2462
2463
2464
2465
2466
2467
2468
260
CI-112, CI-115, CI-144, CI-145, LI-053, LI-054, LI-057, LI-073, LI-074, LI-103, LI-105, WI-010.
CI-115.
LI-057.
LI-074.
CI-119, LI-100, WI-010.
CI-183, LI-046, QI-101, YI-021, K-063.35.
CI-119, LI-100.
QI-111, QI-112.
V-213, V-231
CI-181, CI-182, LI-053, XI-001, YI-006, YI-007.
CI-007, CI-016, CI-021, CI-028, CI-032, CI- 034, CI-048, CI -071, CI-104, CI-105, CI-106, CI-111,
CI-112, CI-118, CI-119, CI-133, CI-134, CI-140, CI-144, LI- 002, LI-030, LI-051, LI-053, LI-066,
LI-069, LI-073, LI-074, LI-076, QI-002, QI-014, QI-015, QI-022, QI-038, QI-040, QI-062, QI-102,
QI-111, WI-006, WI-044, YI-001, YI-002, YI-003, YI-007, YI-012, YI-021, BM-025, V-073.
CI-118, CI-145, LI-066, LI-073, LI-074, LI-076, XI-005, YI-003.