A/HRC/39/CRP.2 called me and showed me a letter. He said my farmland would be confiscated for “security reasons.” The letter said I would not be given alternative land, and the official said all lands belong to the government. I could do nothing and there was no compensation - they just took my land. 617 293. Individuals consistently reported that in their villages they were required to provide food or cook for the Tatmadaw, 618 or that the Tatmadaw would come and take their food or livestock as they wished, placing a constant strain on the their resources and ability to survive.619 For example, one individual from Mongkaung Township, Shan State, described how villages had to give food to the Tatmadaw and witnessing them taking food from other farmers: A military camp was not very far from our village. Each villager had to take food to the Tatmadaw – we took it in turns. Sometimes my mother had to cook for the soldiers too. One day I took some chickens to the military base but they said I arrived late. They kept me and made me work for them. I worked for five days in the military base and then for five days I walked with them from village to village. Each day I saw the military take food from farmers. One farmer begged to be given his food back but they just hit him.620 294. In some cases, the Tatmadaw would also temporarily stay in villagers’ houses. 621 For example, one individual from Laukkaing Township, Kokang Self-Administered Zone, described how soldiers would come regularly, as much as once a week, and stay in one of the village houses. The villagers would have to cook for the soldiers and would sleep in neighbours’ houses or in the forest until the soldiers left. 622 In 2015, this became more frequent and eventually the soldiers confiscated her families’ land and house and started to grow vegetables.623 Arbitrary denial of humanitarian relief 295. The Mission has amassed a large volume of credible information indicating that the Government and Tatmadaw have consistently arbitrarily denied consent for humanitarian relief operations and restricted the movement of humanitarian relief personnel for long periods. For example, in June and July 2015, fighting between the KIA and Tatmadaw displaced around 1,400 individuals in Sumprabum Township, Kachin State. Despite displaced individuals lacking sufficient access to adequate food, shelter, drinking water and medical supplies, and repeated requests for access to provide life-saving humanitarian relief from local and international organizations, no access was granted until January 2016, more than six months later.624 296. Access for humanitarian relief operations to persons in need has significantly deteriorated during the reporting period, and is now at its lowest point in four years. 625 To deliver relief, conduct assessments, or carry out other activities, international humanitarian organizations are required to seek travel authorisations via a complex system involving several layers of authority, both civilian and military, including the President’s Office.626 The United Nations have not been granted travel authorisations to deliver humanitarian relief to 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 QI-082. PI-016, PI-020, PI-058, PI-081, PI-093. DI-072, PI-010, PI-015, PI-020, PI-074, PI-111, QI-078, QI-080. PI-020. PI-016, PI-020. PI-016. Ibid. K-063.30. K-064, K-069.1. QM-002. Interlocutors informed the Mission that, while the process varies to some extent, travel authorisations are generally sent to an organization’s line ministry (which varies depending on the organization). The line ministry forwards requests to the President’s Office for a decision. The President’s Office asks the opinion of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs and in some cases the relevant state governments. 75