• • • • Rescind the “state of emergency” and all national and local orders that lay the foundation for further military abuses, such as martial law declarations. Order security forces to end the use of excessive and unnecessary lethal force against protesters. Recognize the parliament duly elected in November 2020, and do not interfere with the adoption of a new constitution by a democratically elected government. Restore civilian leadership of democratic institutions such as the Union Election Commission. To Myanmar’s Civilian Leadership, including the National Unity Government Myanmar’s lawmakers who were democratically elected in November 2020 have formed two representative bodies since the coup: the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and the National Unity Government (NUG). In developing policies and outlining their vision for a future democratic, rights-respecting Myanmar, these bodies should safeguard the rights of Rohingya in Myanmar and reverse the decades-long policies of persecution and repression. Measures that should be incorporated into strategies being developed and enacted upon the country’s return to civilian rule include: • End the laws, policies, and practices that constitute crimes against humanity against the Rohingya population including apartheid, persecution, and severe deprivation of liberty. • Prioritize meaningful consultations with Rohingya communities in Myanmar and Bangladesh to establish plans to ensure protection for Rohingya in Rakhine State and future returnees. • Respect the right of return for Rohingya refugees who have been arbitrarily or unlawfully deprived of their former homes, lands, properties or places of habitual residence. All such individuals have the right to return to their place of residence or of choice and to the return of their property. Those unable or unwilling to return to their homes should be guaranteed the right to choose compensation from the government for the loss of all their homes and properties. Refugees who have been arbitrarily or unlawfully deprived of their liberty, livelihoods, citizenship, family life, and identity also have the right to restitution. • Ensure full respect for returnees’ human rights, equal access to nationality, rights to freedom of movement and access to livelihoods, and guarantees of security among communities in Rakhine State as a precondition for voluntary repatriation in safety and dignity. • Rescind the 1982 Citizenship Law or amend it in line with international standards: ensure the law is not inherently discriminatory, eliminate distinctions between “AN ISLAND JAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA” 54