Recently Myanmar has tried to show it is following the Myanmar provisional measures but
is still implementing harmful polices that persecute the Rohingya. For example:
•
When the world facing challenges with COVID 19, the Myanmar government
ordered the release of innocence Rohingya throughout the country. Many were
in jail for years. More than 800 Rohingya released from prisoners were sent to
quarantine for COVID-19 before being sent back to their homes in Rakhine State.
The government made them take National Verification Cards (NVCs) by saying they
are “illegal immigrants” from Bangladesh. The NVC does not grant allow Rohingya
to self identify and strips us of access to full citizenship rights.
Restrictions on Freedom of Expression and
Information
Freedom of expression and freedom of information are interrelated. Freedom of expression
includes the right ‘to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by
public authority.’ In February 2020, the Myanmar government imposed internet restriction
in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rhathidaung, and Myebon townships in Rhakhine State and in
Paletwa in Chin State. Other towns have been subjected to the internet restriction since
20th June last year. The three townships, namely, Rathidaung, Maungdaw and Buthidaung
are home to the Rohingya population in Rakhine State as well as former home to the
refugees who fled to Cox’s Bazar District Bangladesh in 2016 and 2017.
The internet ban which cuts the Rohingya community off from the rest of the world is
exacerbating the situation of the Rohingya and prevents information from being reported.
Media access to these three townships in northern Rakhine State has never been permitted
in a realistic manner. The cut of information in Rakhine State makes the local communities
harder to reach for the international community whenever they need help. Rohingya who
attempt to gain an access to internet by crossing other areas are targeted.
Documented Cases from January to May 2020
Our organizations documented 54 cases of human rights abuses. Because of the internet restrictions,
it was very difficult to document the abuses. We believe the number is much higher.
4
SL
Date
Gender
Age
Village/Place
Township
State
Case
01
31.01.2020
Female
HpaYarPyin
Buthidaung
Rakhine
Torture
02
31.01.2020
Female
03
25.01.2020
Female
18
HpaYarPyin
Buthidaung
Rakhine
Torture
Kintaung
Buthidaung
Rakhine
Death
04
25.01.2020
Female
20
Kintaung
Buthidaung
Rakhine
Death
05
10.02.2020
Male
15
Taungbwe
Kyauk Taw
Rakhine
Death
06
07
12.02.2020
Female
47
ThayatPyin
Buthidaung
Rakhine
Death
12.02.2020
Male
17
ThayatPyin
Buthidaung
Rakhine
Death
08
12.02.2020
Female
01
ThayatPyin
Buthidaung
Rakhine
Death
09
26.02.2020
Male
25
Pura Praung
Buthidaung
Rakhine
Death
10
06.03.2020
Male
13
PingPaungToe Mrauk U
Rakhine
Death
11
25.01.2020
Male
23
Kintaung
Rakhine
Injury
Buthidaung
Remarks
Pregnant
woman