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Myanmar's Killing Fields (2018)
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NARRATOR: Tonight on Frontline, Nobel Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, was seen as Frontline, Nobel Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, was seen as Myanmar's hope. San Suu Kyi, was seen as Myanmar's hope. I understand that many of our Myanmar's hope. I understand that many of our friends throughout the world are I understand that many of our friends throughout the world are concerned by reports of villages friends throughout the world are concerned by reports of villages being burned. concerned by reports of villages being burned. NARRATOR: Now, she's accused being burned. NARRATOR: Now, she's accused of standing by as the army waged NARRATOR: Now, she's accused of standing by as the army waged a violent campaign against the of standing by as the army waged a violent campaign against the Rohingya minority. a violent campaign against the Rohingya minority. They are being massacred. Rohingya minority. They are being massacred. She is walling herself off from They are being massacred. She is walling herself off from reality. She is walling herself off from reality. NARRATOR: And keeping the reality. NARRATOR: And keeping the United Nations out. NARRATOR: And keeping the United Nations out. She was saying these were all United Nations out. She was saying these were all made up stories. She was saying these were all made up stories. I couldn't believe my ears and I made up stories. I couldn't believe my ears and I thought to myself, I couldn't believe my ears and I thought to myself, you must be kidding me? thought to myself, you must be kidding me? NARRATOR: With secret you must be kidding me? NARRATOR: With secret footage, and eyewitnesses. NARRATOR: With secret footage, and eyewitnesses. Just 15 minutes ago, brutal footage, and eyewitnesses. Just 15 minutes ago, brutal military came and set fire to Just 15 minutes ago, brutal military came and set fire to the village. military came and set fire to the village. NARRATOR: Frontline the village. NARRATOR: Frontline investigates... NARRATOR: Frontline investigates... This was a textbook case of investigates... This was a textbook case of ethnic cleansing. This was a textbook case of ethnic cleansing. NARRATOR: Myanmar's Killing ethnic cleansing. NARRATOR: Myanmar's Killing Fields." NARRATOR: Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. This is the largest refugee camp Bangladesh. This is the largest refugee camp in the world. This is the largest refugee camp in the world. Reporter Evan Williams has come in the world. Reporter Evan Williams has come here to investigate a campaign Reporter Evan Williams has come here to investigate a campaign by the Myanmar military that has here to investigate a campaign by the Myanmar military that has driven hundreds of thousands of by the Myanmar military that has driven hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from their driven hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from their homes. WILLIAMS: So arriving in the camps, it's really hard to camps, it's really hard to convey the sheer scale of this convey the sheer scale of this crisis. crisis. We've been walking through this We've been walking through this main camp for about ten main camp for about ten minutes, it seems to go on and minutes, it seems to go on and on. Everywhere you look, there are more tents, more families, just ridge after ridge of shelters more tents, more families, just ridge after ridge of shelters for these refugees. ridge after ridge of shelters for these refugees. (people talking in background) for these refugees. (people talking in background) NARRATOR: The mass exodus of (people talking in background) NARRATOR: The mass exodus of the Rohingyas became world news NARRATOR: The mass exodus of the Rohingyas became world news in August 2017. But the military's campaign against them in fact began years earlier. against them in fact began years earlier. Since 2012, a small network of earlier. Since 2012, a small network of citizen activists has been Since 2012, a small network of citizen activists has been secretly filming the reality of citizen activists has been secretly filming the reality of life for the Rohingyas in secretly filming the reality of life for the Rohingyas in Myanmar. life for the Rohingyas in Myanmar. We've been given hundreds of Myanmar. We've been given hundreds of their videos, some by an We've been given hundreds of their videos, some by an international human rights group their videos, some by an international human rights group that helped train them. international human rights group that helped train them. No one from the network has ever that helped train them. No one from the network has ever been interviewed on camera, but No one from the network has ever been interviewed on camera, but one agreed if we been interviewed on camera, but one agreed if we protected his identity. one agreed if we protected his identity. He uses the codename "Sabo." SABO (in foreign language): (speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: "Frontline" spent six months trying to corroborate the footage and six months trying to corroborate the footage and other videos we gathered... NARRATOR: ...interviewing scores of witnesses... (speaking foreign language) NARRATOR:...comparing their accounts, and cross-checking them with human rights accounts, and cross-checking them with human rights investigators. them with human rights investigators. WILLIAMS: How many patches of investigators. WILLIAMS: How many patches of blood like this did you see? WILLIAMS: How many patches of blood like this did you see? NARRATOR: The Myanmar blood like this did you see? NARRATOR: The Myanmar military denies abuses and says NARRATOR: The Myanmar military denies abuses and says it has been fighting Islamic military denies abuses and says it has been fighting Islamic terrorists. (speaking foreign language) (weeping) NARRATOR: But the videos and eyewitness accounts depict an NARRATOR: But the videos and eyewitness accounts depict an orchestrated effort to target eyewitness accounts depict an orchestrated effort to target civilians. orchestrated effort to target civilians. Systematic discrimination, civilians. Systematic discrimination, state-sanctioned violence, and Systematic discrimination, state-sanctioned violence, and ultimately, mass murder. (woman sobbing) SABO: (people talking in background) NARRATOR: Muslim Rohingyas have been living in Myanmar's NARRATOR: Muslim Rohingyas have been living in Myanmar's Rakhine State for generations. have been living in Myanmar's Rakhine State for generations. But the government views them Rakhine State for generations. But the government views them as illegal immigrants from But the government views them as illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. as illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. In 2012, violence erupted neighboring Bangladesh. In 2012, violence erupted between the Muslim Rohingyas and In 2012, violence erupted between the Muslim Rohingyas and the Buddhist Rakhines, the between the Muslim Rohingyas and the Buddhist Rakhines, the majority ethnic group in the the Buddhist Rakhines, the majority ethnic group in the region. In response, the government confined 120,000 Rohingyas to ghettos and camps, and then confined 120,000 Rohingyas to ghettos and camps, and then began to impose restrictions on ghettos and camps, and then began to impose restrictions on all aspects of Rohingya life. began to impose restrictions on all aspects of Rohingya life. The videos we received from all aspects of Rohingya life. The videos we received from Sabo's network show shuttered The videos we received from Sabo's network show shuttered mosques and religious schools. Sabo's network show shuttered mosques and religious schools. And police checkpoints where mosques and religious schools. And police checkpoints where Sabo says Rohingyas could not And police checkpoints where Sabo says Rohingyas could not pass without written permission Sabo says Rohingyas could not pass without written permission or payment. SABO: NARRATOR: For more than 50 years, Myanmar was ruled by a repressive military years, Myanmar was ruled by a repressive military dictatorship, notorious for repressive military dictatorship, notorious for human rights abuses, and subject dictatorship, notorious for human rights abuses, and subject to sanctions by the United human rights abuses, and subject to sanctions by the United States and other Western to sanctions by the United States and other Western countries. States and other Western countries. But by 2015, that was changing. In the country's first free elections for decades, long-time democracy activist Aung San Suu elections for decades, long-time democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory. democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory. Although she had limited power, Kyi won a landslide victory. Although she had limited power, with no effective control of the Although she had limited power, with no effective control of the army, it was seen as a new dawn with no effective control of the army, it was seen as a new dawn for Myanmar. army, it was seen as a new dawn for Myanmar. There was a feeling of great for Myanmar. There was a feeling of great anticipation and a feeling that There was a feeling of great anticipation and a feeling that she would be this transformative anticipation and a feeling that she would be this transformative figure. We knew that there were constitutional limitations in constitutional limitations in terms of what she could do, but terms of what she could do, but she had enormous international she had enormous international standing and good will on her standing and good will on her side. (people speaking quietly) (speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: Myanmar's new leader soon faced a crisis-- a Rohingya insurgency in Rakhine leader soon faced a crisis-- a Rohingya insurgency in Rakhine State. Rohingya insurgency in Rakhine State. In October 2016, a previously State. In October 2016, a previously unknown militant group calling In October 2016, a previously unknown militant group calling itself the Arakan Rohingya unknown militant group calling itself the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army-- or ARSA-- itself the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army-- or ARSA-- claimed responsibility for Salvation Army-- or ARSA-- claimed responsibility for attacks on three police posts claimed responsibility for attacks on three police posts which killed nine border attacks on three police posts which killed nine border officers. which killed nine border officers. What we know about ARSA is officers. What we know about ARSA is that they are not well-armed, What we know about ARSA is that they are not well-armed, they were mobilizing villagers that they are not well-armed, they were mobilizing villagers to attack police stations, they were mobilizing villagers to attack police stations, checkpoints. I think they felt in part in response to the kinds of response to the kinds of restrictions that made their restrictions that made their daily lives such a misery, that daily lives such a misery, that we're going to strike back. NARRATOR: Aung San Suu Kyi pledged that her government's response to the attacks would be pledged that her government's response to the attacks would be measured. response to the attacks would be measured. Adhering to the principle of measured. Adhering to the principle of justice that everybody must be Adhering to the principle of justice that everybody must be considered innocent until proven justice that everybody must be considered innocent until proven guilty, we have not accused any considered innocent until proven guilty, we have not accused any particular organization or guilty, we have not accused any particular organization or group. NARRATOR: But the military began a crackdown across northern Rakhine. began a crackdown across northern Rakhine. Within days, the security northern Rakhine. Within days, the security services were sweeping through Within days, the security services were sweeping through Rohingya villages looking for services were sweeping through Rohingya villages looking for fighters hiding among the Rohingya villages looking for fighters hiding among the population. fighters hiding among the population. On November 5, they entered population. On November 5, they entered the village of Koh Tan Kauk. (speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: One of the officers filmed the operation on his phone as they rounded up dozens filmed the operation on his phone as they rounded up dozens of men. In the refugee camps in Bangladesh, we found the man being beaten in the video-- Nur Bangladesh, we found the man being beaten in the video-- Nur Bashar. being beaten in the video-- Nur Bashar. WILLIAMS: That's you Bashar. WILLIAMS: That's you they're hitting? BASHAR: SOLDIER: NARRATOR: Witnesses from Koh Tan Kauk told us that the police arrested four men from the Tan Kauk told us that the police arrested four men from the village with no connection to arrested four men from the village with no connection to the militants and they were village with no connection to the militants and they were never seen again. the militants and they were never seen again. When this video later surfaced never seen again. When this video later surfaced on the internet, three officers, When this video later surfaced on the internet, three officers, including the one who filmed it, on the internet, three officers, including the one who filmed it, were sentenced to two months in including the one who filmed it, were sentenced to two months in jail. were sentenced to two months in jail. But the crackdown didn't end jail. But the crackdown didn't end there. But the crackdown didn't end there. Days later, soldiers swept there. Days later, soldiers swept through the village of Dar Gyi Days later, soldiers swept through the village of Dar Gyi Zar. through the village of Dar Gyi Zar. The military says the village Zar. The military says the village was harboring ARSA insurgents. (men speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: Rahman Ullah and Nurul Islam lived in the village. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: A few days later, survivors returned to the village. survivors returned to the village. One of them was filming. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: We played this video to several survivors we found in the refugee camps. video to several survivors we found in the refugee camps. They said it shows the aftermath found in the refugee camps. They said it shows the aftermath of the army's attack on their They said it shows the aftermath of the army's attack on their village. of the army's attack on their village. Their accounts match reports by village. Their accounts match reports by human rights groups who also Their accounts match reports by human rights groups who also investigated the killings. human rights groups who also investigated the killings. The survivors told us more than investigated the killings. The survivors told us more than 170 people were killed here. The survivors told us more than 170 people were killed here. Many of the bodies were burned. (man speaking foreign language) (man speaking foreign language) (weeping) NARRATOR: The massacre at Dar Gyi Zar took place in November 2016, almost a year before the Gyi Zar took place in November 2016, almost a year before the Rohingya exodus became world 2016, almost a year before the Rohingya exodus became world news. Rohingya exodus became world news. Activists from Northern Rakhine news. Activists from Northern Rakhine distributed video of residents Activists from Northern Rakhine distributed video of residents fleeing multiple villages distributed video of residents fleeing multiple villages at this time. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: The activists say this video was filmed in the village of Sin Thay Pyin on this video was filmed in the village of Sin Thay Pyin on November 25. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: Residents are warning each other to flee the army, and then gunfire is heard. warning each other to flee the army, and then gunfire is heard. (gunshot) By December 2016, an estimated 90,000 Rohingyas were trying to escape the violence. When the refugees started to arrive in neighboring Bangladesh, investigators from arrive in neighboring Bangladesh, investigators from the UN Human Rights office Bangladesh, investigators from the UN Human Rights office began collecting their the UN Human Rights office began collecting their testimony. began collecting their testimony. Even by the standards that testimony. Even by the standards that we are used to seeing, this was Even by the standards that we are used to seeing, this was absolutely shocking stuff, we are used to seeing, this was absolutely shocking stuff, I mean absolutely shocking. And I remember thinking how children were hunted down aged children were hunted down aged five or six and had their five or six and had their throats slit, and thinking, throats slit, and thinking, "Well, this is ISIS-like stuff." NARRATOR: He decided to call Aung San Suu Kyi. I said, "You have moral call Aung San Suu Kyi. I said, "You have moral standing in the country, we I said, "You have moral standing in the country, we need to stop this right away, standing in the country, we need to stop this right away, you have to stop this. need to stop this right away, you have to stop this. Why don't you let us in, why you have to stop this. Why don't you let us in, why don't you let international Why don't you let us in, why don't you let international journalists in, what are you don't you let international journalists in, what are you hiding?" journalists in, what are you hiding?" She said something along the hiding?" She said something along the lines that, you know, that we She said something along the lines that, you know, that we needed to share more evidence lines that, you know, that we needed to share more evidence with her. needed to share more evidence with her. NARRATOR: To get more with her. NARRATOR: To get more evidence, the United Nations NARRATOR: To get more evidence, the United Nations needed their investigators evidence, the United Nations needed their investigators to visit Northern Rakhine. needed their investigators to visit Northern Rakhine. But when the UN passed a to visit Northern Rakhine. But when the UN passed a resolution to send a fact- But when the UN passed a resolution to send a fact- finding mission to Myanmar, Aung resolution to send a fact- finding mission to Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi refused to give them finding mission to Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi refused to give them access-- arguing that outside San Suu Kyi refused to give them access-- arguing that outside scrutiny would worsen tensions. access-- arguing that outside scrutiny would worsen tensions. We do not agree with it, we scrutiny would worsen tensions. We do not agree with it, we have dissociated ourselves from We do not agree with it, we have dissociated ourselves from the resolution, because we do have dissociated ourselves from the resolution, because we do not think that the resolution is the resolution, because we do not think that the resolution is in keeping with what is actually not think that the resolution is in keeping with what is actually happening on the ground. in keeping with what is actually happening on the ground. It was disappointing, hugely happening on the ground. It was disappointing, hugely disappointing. It was disappointing, hugely disappointing. The impression that she was disappointing. The impression that she was going to be this transformative The impression that she was going to be this transformative figure sort of was slowly going to be this transformative figure sort of was slowly beginning to erode-- well, not figure sort of was slowly beginning to erode-- well, not slowly but quite dramatically. NARRATOR: Aung San Suu Kyi's government had also prevented government had also prevented journalists from traveling journalists from traveling freely in northern Rakhine-- freely in northern Rakhine-- making it difficult for anyone making it difficult for anyone to verify the allegations to verify the allegations against the military. But using satellite images, human rights researchers concluded that dozens of human rights researchers concluded that dozens of Rohingya villages had been concluded that dozens of Rohingya villages had been burned and more than 1,500 Rohingya villages had been burned and more than 1,500 buildings destroyed. burned and more than 1,500 buildings destroyed. They tried to raise the alarm. I remember very clearly meeting with key ambassadors to meeting with key ambassadors to talk about what is going on talk about what is going on there. there. To say, "Look, you know, this is To say, "Look, you know, this is not only ethnic cleansing, but not only ethnic cleansing, but this is also crimes against this is also crimes against humanity, there has to be humanity, there has to be international accountability." But the problem was, it was almost like there was a groupthink that had taken over. almost like there was a groupthink that had taken over. And they're all talking to each groupthink that had taken over. And they're all talking to each other, and all persuading each And they're all talking to each other, and all persuading each other that Aung San Suu Kyi was other, and all persuading each other that Aung San Suu Kyi was a saint, and somehow if she other that Aung San Suu Kyi was a saint, and somehow if she really knew the real situation a saint, and somehow if she really knew the real situation she would finally speak up. really knew the real situation she would finally speak up. But, you know, we can't really she would finally speak up. But, you know, we can't really pressure her too much, because But, you know, we can't really pressure her too much, because if we do so, we'll destabilize pressure her too much, because if we do so, we'll destabilize her government and the Myanmar if we do so, we'll destabilize her government and the Myanmar military will take over. her government and the Myanmar military will take over. So as far as the Myanmar military will take over. So as far as the Myanmar military is concerned, the So as far as the Myanmar military is concerned, the lesson is that you can use military is concerned, the lesson is that you can use violence against the Rohingya lesson is that you can use violence against the Rohingya and get away with it. violence against the Rohingya and get away with it. (horns beeping, cars running) and get away with it. (horns beeping, cars running) NARRATOR: The army's (horns beeping, cars running) NARRATOR: The army's crackdown was popular NARRATOR: The army's crackdown was popular among Myanmar's powerful crackdown was popular among Myanmar's powerful Buddhist nationalists, who have among Myanmar's powerful Buddhist nationalists, who have long seen the Rohingyas Buddhist nationalists, who have long seen the Rohingyas as illegal Muslim long seen the Rohingyas as illegal Muslim immigrants. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: By June 2017 the authorities were stepping up NARRATOR: By June 2017 the authorities were stepping up a program forcing Rohingyas the authorities were stepping up a program forcing Rohingyas to register with the government. a program forcing Rohingyas to register with the government. This footage shows villagers to register with the government. This footage shows villagers being ordered to apply for a new This footage shows villagers being ordered to apply for a new identity document called the being ordered to apply for a new identity document called the NVC. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: The government said it was to help determine their citizenship. it was to help determine their citizenship. The Rohingyas feared it was a citizenship. The Rohingyas feared it was a ploy to classify them as illegal The Rohingyas feared it was a ploy to classify them as illegal Bengali immigrants. ploy to classify them as illegal Bengali immigrants. In the video, one villager Bengali immigrants. In the video, one villager speaks out. (man speaking foreign language) (baby crying) (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: Rashan Ali was from the village of Chut Pyin. ALI: NARRATOR: The Myanmar military now began amassing NARRATOR: The Myanmar military now began amassing troops in northern Rakhine. In early August 2017, soldiers from two divisions were deployed to the region. from two divisions were deployed to the region. One of them was the 33rd Light to the region. One of them was the 33rd Light Infantry-- assault troops One of them was the 33rd Light Infantry-- assault troops notorious for human rights Infantry-- assault troops notorious for human rights abuses. notorious for human rights abuses. Rohingya leaders from the abuses. Rohingya leaders from the village of Chut Pyin say a Rohingya leaders from the village of Chut Pyin say a commander summoned them village of Chut Pyin say a commander summoned them and delivered an ultimatum. commander summoned them and delivered an ultimatum. Ahmed Hussain was one of and delivered an ultimatum. Ahmed Hussain was one of those village leaders. HUSSAIN: NARRATOR: Rohingyas from many villages told us military commanders were delivering villages told us military commanders were delivering identical threats across commanders were delivering identical threats across northern Rakhine in early August identical threats across northern Rakhine in early August As tensions were rising that summer, the United Nations' special rapporteur on Myanmar summer, the United Nations' special rapporteur on Myanmar was given access to the country. special rapporteur on Myanmar was given access to the country. She had already spoken out about was given access to the country. She had already spoken out about the need to protect the She had already spoken out about the need to protect the Rohingyas from persecution, the need to protect the Rohingyas from persecution, causing angry protests by Rohingyas from persecution, causing angry protests by Buddhist nationalists. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: In Rohingya villages, she was forced to travel with military and villages, she was forced to travel with military and government minders. I talked to the villagers, but they were very scared. but they were very scared. So many of them are scared to So many of them are scared to speak with foreigners or outside speak with foreigners or outside people because of fear of people because of fear of retaliation, of reprisal. NARRATOR: She met with Aung San Suu Kyi and confronted her with accounts of Rohingyas being San Suu Kyi and confronted her with accounts of Rohingyas being killed. with accounts of Rohingyas being killed. Until now, Yanghee Lee has not killed. Until now, Yanghee Lee has not spoken about what happened next. Until now, Yanghee Lee has not spoken about what happened next. She was becoming very, very spoken about what happened next. She was becoming very, very defensive and she was saying She was becoming very, very defensive and she was saying that these were all made-up defensive and she was saying that these were all made-up stories. that these were all made-up stories. UN is so one-sided, they're not stories. UN is so one-sided, they're not helping the situation. UN is so one-sided, they're not helping the situation. I said, you know, that I need helping the situation. I said, you know, that I need more access and I would really I said, you know, that I need more access and I would really need your support in getting more access and I would really need your support in getting access. need your support in getting access. And she looked at me and she access. And she looked at me and she said, "If you continue the And she looked at me and she said, "If you continue the narrative of the UN, you know, said, "If you continue the narrative of the UN, you know, you might not get that access." narrative of the UN, you know, you might not get that access." And I stopped and I thought, I you might not get that access." And I stopped and I thought, I couldn't believe my ears and I And I stopped and I thought, I couldn't believe my ears and I thought to myself she must be couldn't believe my ears and I thought to myself she must be kidding me. NARRATOR: Yanghee Lee was subsequently accused of bias by the Myanmar government and subsequently accused of bias by the Myanmar government and banned from the country. the Myanmar government and banned from the country. It was a political decision banned from the country. It was a political decision she made. It was a political decision she made. She is a politician, and the she made. She is a politician, and the general sentiment in Myanmar is She is a politician, and the general sentiment in Myanmar is not favorable to the Rohingyas. (chanting in foreign language) (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: On August 25, 2017, Rohingya ARSA militants backed by villagers 2017, Rohingya ARSA militants backed by villagers attacked 30 police posts and an backed by villagers attacked 30 police posts and an army base in northern Rakhine. attacked 30 police posts and an army base in northern Rakhine. (chanting in foreign language) The Myanmar government said that 11 policemen and an immigration officer were killed. In the days that followed, soldiers swept into the villages nearest the attacks. soldiers swept into the villages nearest the attacks. Just 15 minutes ago, brutal nearest the attacks. Just 15 minutes ago, brutal military came and set fire Just 15 minutes ago, brutal military came and set fire to the village. military came and set fire to the village. NARRATOR: It was the to the village. NARRATOR: It was the beginning of an operation that NARRATOR: It was the beginning of an operation that would eventually drive hundreds beginning of an operation that would eventually drive hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas from would eventually drive hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas from their homes. of thousands of Rohingyas from their homes. Operatives from Sabo's network their homes. Operatives from Sabo's network were filming. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: One of the first villages to be attacked was Monu Para. villages to be attacked was Monu Para. (birds chirping) (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: Mohammed Ayas says over a hundred people fled to the village leader's compound over a hundred people fled to the village leader's compound seeking safety. the village leader's compound seeking safety. As the soldiers entered, he says seeking safety. As the soldiers entered, he says he hid in the roof. AYAS: NARRATOR: Villagers say this is one of the soldiers who led the attack that day, is one of the soldiers who led the attack that day, Sergeant Ba Kyaw. the attack that day, Sergeant Ba Kyaw. (man speaking foreign language) Sergeant Ba Kyaw. (man speaking foreign language) We interviewed nine residents (man speaking foreign language) We interviewed nine residents who identified him and said We interviewed nine residents who identified him and said they knew him well. who identified him and said they knew him well. He was a member of the army's they knew him well. He was a member of the army's Unit 564, based here, just south He was a member of the army's Unit 564, based here, just south of the village. AYAS: NARRATOR: Witnesses say Ba Kyaw and other soldiers rounded up dozens of men and Kyaw and other soldiers rounded up dozens of men and took them to the village up dozens of men and took them to the village leader's compound. took them to the village leader's compound. Aisha Begum was at home with her leader's compound. Aisha Begum was at home with her sons. BEGUM: NARRATOR: The men and boys taken to the compound were forced to lie face down. taken to the compound were forced to lie face down. Mohamadul Hassan was among them. forced to lie face down. Mohamadul Hassan was among them. He says he had nothing to do Mohamadul Hassan was among them. He says he had nothing to do with the militants. HASSAN: NARRATOR: He says the men were kept tied up in the courtyard for two hours. were kept tied up in the courtyard for two hours. Then, he says, an officer took courtyard for two hours. Then, he says, an officer took a phone call. Then, he says, an officer took a phone call. Other survivors have given a phone call. Other survivors have given journalists and human rights Other survivors have given journalists and human rights investigators similar accounts journalists and human rights investigators similar accounts of what happened next. HASSAN: NARRATOR: This video of him was taken a few days after the attack. him was taken a few days after the attack. He says he was shot twice and after the attack. He says he was shot twice and left for dead. He says he was shot twice and left for dead. Hiding in the roof, Ayas says he watched as some of the men were killed in the courtyard. AYAS: NARRATOR:In all, eight witnesses told us thst Sergeant Ba Kyaw participated in the witnesses told us thst Sergeant Ba Kyaw participated in the killings. Ba Kyaw participated in the killings. He's also been named in other killings. He's also been named in other news and human rights reports. He's also been named in other news and human rights reports. We weren't able to speak to Ba news and human rights reports. We weren't able to speak to Ba Kyaw and the Myanmar military We weren't able to speak to Ba Kyaw and the Myanmar military wouldn't respond to the Kyaw and the Myanmar military wouldn't respond to the allegations against him. wouldn't respond to the allegations against him. They insist their troops did not allegations against him. They insist their troops did not harm civilians. They insist their troops did not harm civilians. But survivors estimate at harm civilians. But survivors estimate at least 80 people were executed But survivors estimate at least 80 people were executed in the courtyard alone. BEGUM (crying): NARRATOR: Aisha says that her husband and three of her children were among them. BEGUM: NARRATOR: The Myanmar military says that it was conducting a "clearance military says that it was conducting a "clearance operation" to rid Rakhine of conducting a "clearance operation" to rid Rakhine of terrorists. operation" to rid Rakhine of terrorists. But video shot at the scene terrorists. But video shot at the scene supports eyewitness claims that But video shot at the scene supports eyewitness claims that many civilians were killed. (man speaking foreign language) NARRATOR: Nurul Hakim went back to Monu Para with a camera once the soldiers had left, back to Monu Para with a camera once the soldiers had left, risking his life. once the soldiers had left, risking his life. His footage is dated August 28, risking his life. His footage is dated August 28, one day after the killings. This is the first time he's been interviewed. HAKIM: NARRATOR: Nurul and other witnesses told us more than 100 people were killed throughout witnesses told us more than 100 people were killed throughout the village-- a number that is people were killed throughout the village-- a number that is consistent with subsequent the village-- a number that is consistent with subsequent investigations by human rights consistent with subsequent investigations by human rights groups. HAKIM: NARRATOR: Nurul also found body parts. HAKIM: NARRATOR: Elsewhere in the village, he filmed the body of a boy who appears to have been village, he filmed the body of a boy who appears to have been shot in the head. HAKIM (crying): NARRATOR: In another part of Monu Para, a villager filmed a body being dug up. Monu Para, a villager filmed a body being dug up. The wounds are still fresh. body being dug up. The wounds are still fresh. Hmmm. The wounds are still fresh. Hmmm. WILLIAMS: The dead man, do Hmmm. WILLIAMS: The dead man, do you know who this is? AYAS: NARRATOR: Ayas says he had seen this man alive in the courtyard before the army's seen this man alive in the courtyard before the army's executions began. courtyard before the army's executions began. WILLIAMS: How old was he? AYAS: NARRATOR: By now, the Myanmar military's campaign had spread across the whole of northern military's campaign had spread across the whole of northern Rakhine. across the whole of northern Rakhine. Over the next few days, dozens Rakhine. Over the next few days, dozens of Rohingya villages were Over the next few days, dozens of Rohingya villages were attacked and burned to the of Rohingya villages were attacked and burned to the ground. attacked and burned to the ground. On August 27, members of the ground. On August 27, members of the 33rd Light Infantry Division On August 27, members of the 33rd Light Infantry Division moved into the village of Chut 33rd Light Infantry Division moved into the village of Chut Pyin. REPORTER: NARRATOR: A Myanmar TV network broadcast this report that same day. REPORTER: NARRATOR: But the footage filmed by Rohingya activists tells a different story. filmed by Rohingya activists tells a different story. Sabo was filming in the nearby tells a different story. Sabo was filming in the nearby village of Ah Tet Nan Ya as Sabo was filming in the nearby village of Ah Tet Nan Ya as survivors from Chut Pyin village of Ah Tet Nan Ya as survivors from Chut Pyin streamed in. SABO: (conversing): NARRATOR: He filmed dozens of wounded men, women and children, many of them shot in the back as wounded men, women and children, many of them shot in the back as they fled. many of them shot in the back as they fled. We tracked down some of the they fled. We tracked down some of the survivors seen in Sabo's We tracked down some of the survivors seen in Sabo's footage, who all independently survivors seen in Sabo's footage, who all independently recounted how the military footage, who all independently recounted how the military attacked civilians. JAHIN HUSSEIN: NARRATOR: The video shows a villager named Jahin Hussein and his niece, Jamila Khatun. villager named Jahin Hussein and his niece, Jamila Khatun. She's 16 years old and has been and his niece, Jamila Khatun. She's 16 years old and has been shot in the back. JAHIN HUSSEIN: NARRATOR: We found them in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. JAHIN HUSSEIN: KHATUN: NUR BEGUM (crying): NARRATOR: Nur Begum says that when the women tried to fight back, a soldier shot one of them when the women tried to fight back, a soldier shot one of them dead. NUR BEGUM: (crying) NARRATOR: Multiple survivors from Chut Pyin told us the soldiers engaged in mass rape in from Chut Pyin told us the soldiers engaged in mass rape in the village. Among the survivors filmed by Sabo was village leader and medic Rashan Ali. ALI: NARRATOR: He says he did what he could to treat the victims. ALI: NARRATOR: He said many of the rape victims were children. ALI: NARRATOR: As the soldiers swept through Chut Pyin, nine- year-old Arefa Khatum swept through Chut Pyin, nine- year-old Arefa Khatum was hiding at school. AREFA: NARRATOR: When the soldiers reached the school, Arefa says she was shot through the leg. reached the school, Arefa says she was shot through the leg. The bullet shattered her bones. AREFA: NARRATOR: What happened next is horrific. Arefa's mother, Rashida Khatum, is horrific. Arefa's mother, Rashida Khatum, says she and her son were Arefa's mother, Rashida Khatum, says she and her son were rounded up by soldiers with a says she and her son were rounded up by soldiers with a large group of women and rounded up by soldiers with a large group of women and children. RASHIDA KHATUM: NARRATOR: Rashida says the soldiers dragged the children and babies to nearby burning soldiers dragged the children and babies to nearby burning houses. and babies to nearby burning houses. (fire crackling) houses. (fire crackling) She says they then threw them (fire crackling) She says they then threw them into the flames alive. RASHIDA KHATUM: NARRATOR: Rashida says she saved her own son by hiding him under her shawl. 60-year-old Umul Kulsum says her grandson and her granddaughter were ripped from her arms. KULSUM: NARRATOR: Ahmed Hussain, one of the village leaders, is compiling a record of everything of the village leaders, is compiling a record of everything that happened in Chut Pyin. HUSSAIN: NARRATOR: He showed us where the women were held with their children. HUSSAIN: NARRATOR: Ahmed is collecting the names of all the missing. So far he's identified 358 the names of all the missing. So far he's identified 358 people that he believes were So far he's identified 358 people that he believes were killed in the attack. people that he believes were killed in the attack. We asked him how many of the killed in the attack. We asked him how many of the dead were children. HUSSAIN: NARRATOR: By early September 2017, an exodus was underway. In a single month, around half a 2017, an exodus was underway. In a single month, around half a million refugees crossed the In a single month, around half a million refugees crossed the border into Bangladesh. million refugees crossed the border into Bangladesh. It was only now that the border into Bangladesh. It was only now that the Rohingya crisis became world It was only now that the Rohingya crisis became world news. Rohingya crisis became world news. Under international pressure, news. Under international pressure, the Myanmar military would Under international pressure, the Myanmar military would eventually conduct an internal the Myanmar military would eventually conduct an internal investigation. eventually conduct an internal investigation. It concluded there was no rape, investigation. It concluded there was no rape, no burning, and no killing of It concluded there was no rape, no burning, and no killing of civilians by its soldiers. no burning, and no killing of civilians by its soldiers. They maintain that the campaign civilians by its soldiers. They maintain that the campaign was a counter-insurgency They maintain that the campaign was a counter-insurgency "clearance operation" against was a counter-insurgency "clearance operation" against "Bengali terrorists." Rubbish. I mean, this is not I mean, this is not counter-insurgency. counter-insurgency. Counter-insurgency means you go Counter-insurgency means you go after the specific units that after the specific units that are involved, but rounding up are involved, but rounding up civilians, burning their houses, civilians, burning their houses, slicing the throats of children, slicing the throats of children, raping pregnant women, and then raping pregnant women, and then disemboweling them-- I mean, disemboweling them-- I mean, how on Earth is that counter- how on Earth is that counter- insurgency? insurgency? These were not sporadic acts. These were not sporadic acts. These were well-organized, These were well-organized, well-thought-through. well-thought-through. Clearly, it didn't seem to be an Clearly, it didn't seem to be an operation that was put together operation that was put together at the last moment. There is some design to this. This was a textbook case of ethnic cleansing. NARRATOR: As more survivors were reaching Bangladesh, the accounts of atrocities mounted. The worst-known massacre of all happened in the village of Tula Toli. happened in the village of Tula Toli. When soldiers attacked from the Toli. When soldiers attacked from the north, hundreds of Rohingyas When soldiers attacked from the north, hundreds of Rohingyas fled eastward, but were north, hundreds of Rohingyas fled eastward, but were trapped by a bend in the river. MAN: NARRATOR: Survivors we interviewed told us this video was filmed downstream from interviewed told us this video was filmed downstream from Tula Toli. was filmed downstream from Tula Toli. It shows the bodies of children Tula Toli. It shows the bodies of children and babies being recovered from It shows the bodies of children and babies being recovered from the river. MAN: NARRATOR: The survivors from Tula Toli recognized some of the bodies from Tula Toli recognized some of the bodies in the video. MUMTAZ BEGUM: NARRATOR: Mumtaz Begum says soldiers took her to a house soldiers took her to a house with her only surviving with her only surviving daughter, Razeya. NARRATOR: She says when the soldiers had finished, they locked the women inside the soldiers had finished, they locked the women inside the house. RAZEYA: MUMTAZ: MAN: NARRATOR: Survivors from Tula Toli streamed across the river trying to escape. Toli streamed across the river trying to escape. Witnesses told us that over a trying to escape. Witnesses told us that over a thousand people were killed in Witnesses told us that over a thousand people were killed in the village, a number thousand people were killed in the village, a number consistent with reports from the village, a number consistent with reports from other journalists and human consistent with reports from other journalists and human rights groups. other journalists and human rights groups. (crying) NARRATOR: Mumtaz says she managed to escape the burning house with her daughter. managed to escape the burning house with her daughter. As she fled, she found her house with her daughter. As she fled, she found her wounded son lying nearby. MUMTAZ: (weeping) The security forces have been instructed to exercise all due restraint and to take full instructed to exercise all due restraint and to take full measures to avoid collateral restraint and to take full measures to avoid collateral damage and the harming of measures to avoid collateral damage and the harming of innocent civilians. damage and the harming of innocent civilians. NARRATOR: Three weeks after innocent civilians. NARRATOR: Three weeks after the campaign began, Aung San Suu NARRATOR: Three weeks after the campaign began, Aung San Suu Kyi defended the military and the campaign began, Aung San Suu Kyi defended the military and claimed that operations in Kyi defended the military and claimed that operations in northern Rakhine had finished. claimed that operations in northern Rakhine had finished. There have been no conflicts northern Rakhine had finished. There have been no conflicts since the fifth of September and There have been no conflicts since the fifth of September and no clearance operations. since the fifth of September and no clearance operations. NARRATOR: But even as she no clearance operations. NARRATOR: But even as she spoke, the destruction NARRATOR: But even as she spoke, the destruction continued. spoke, the destruction continued. Satellite imagery shows that in continued. Satellite imagery shows that in the weeks after September 5, Satellite imagery shows that in the weeks after September 5, numerous Rohingya villages were the weeks after September 5, numerous Rohingya villages were burned to the numerous Rohingya villages were burned to the ground. We tried to get access to northern Rakhine, but the We tried to get access to northern Rakhine, but the Myanmar military refused our northern Rakhine, but the Myanmar military refused our request. WILLIAMS: For weeks we've been trying to talk to somebody from the government or the army been trying to talk to somebody from the government or the army about what they think is from the government or the army about what they think is happening in Rakhine State. We've written to the home minister, the minister for minister, the minister for border affairs, the three senior border affairs, the three senior generals who have been appointed generals who have been appointed to liaise with the media. The state councilor, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and even the commander-in-chief of the armed San Suu Kyi, and even the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, General Min Aung Hlaing commander-in-chief of the armed forces, General Min Aung Hlaing himself. forces, General Min Aung Hlaing himself. None of the them will see us. himself. None of the them will see us. Only one junior minister will None of the them will see us. Only one junior minister will grant us an interview. NARRATOR: Win Myat Aye is the minister for social welfare, relief, and resettlement. minister for social welfare, relief, and resettlement. The interview was relief, and resettlement. The interview was monitored by other The interview was monitored by other officials. monitored by other officials. WILLIAMS: Why did the officials. WILLIAMS: Why did the Rohingyas leave Myanmar? WILLIAMS: Why did the Rohingyas leave Myanmar? Why did they-- why did so many Rohingyas leave Myanmar? Why did they-- why did so many Rohingya people leave? Why did they-- why did so many Rohingya people leave? They say there was violent Rohingya people leave? They say there was violent attacks by the military. They say there was violent attacks by the military. No, it's not true, the 100%. attacks by the military. No, it's not true, the 100%. And I mean that, 100%. No, it's not true, the 100%. And I mean that, 100%. Because of the conflict between And I mean that, 100%. Because of the conflict between the two communities and because Because of the conflict between the two communities and because of the terrorist attack, there the two communities and because of the terrorist attack, there is the cleansing operation. of the terrorist attack, there is the cleansing operation. They fear for that. is the cleansing operation. They fear for that. Cleansing operation for the They fear for that. Cleansing operation for the terrorists. Cleansing operation for the terrorists. WILLIAMS: They say that the terrorists. WILLIAMS: They say that the army went into hundreds of WILLIAMS: They say that the army went into hundreds of villages shooting men, women, army went into hundreds of villages shooting men, women, and children, and raping women, villages shooting men, women, and children, and raping women, and burning the houses-- why do and children, and raping women, and burning the houses-- why do you think the army used such and burning the houses-- why do you think the army used such force in this way? you think the army used such force in this way? So I, I don't think so. force in this way? So I, I don't think so. They are-- we are-- as you know, So I, I don't think so. They are-- we are-- as you know, I already have said about you, I They are-- we are-- as you know, I already have said about you, I don't know-- I know only about I already have said about you, I don't know-- I know only about my duty and my responsibility. don't know-- I know only about my duty and my responsibility. It's beyond my capacity. my duty and my responsibility. It's beyond my capacity. NARRATOR: He repeatedly said It's beyond my capacity. NARRATOR: He repeatedly said he was not familiar with the NARRATOR: He repeatedly said he was not familiar with the military operation. he was not familiar with the military operation. But state media shows the military operation. But state media shows the minister in Rakhine State with But state media shows the minister in Rakhine State with the army on August 27, at the minister in Rakhine State with the army on August 27, at the height of the army's campaign. the army on August 27, at the height of the army's campaign. Myanmar's commander-in-chief is height of the army's campaign. Myanmar's commander-in-chief is Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Myanmar's commander-in-chief is Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. He has stated publicly that the Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. He has stated publicly that the country "has no Rohingya race" He has stated publicly that the country "has no Rohingya race" and referred to the campaign in country "has no Rohingya race" and referred to the campaign in northern Rakhine as "unfinished and referred to the campaign in northern Rakhine as "unfinished business" against Bengali northern Rakhine as "unfinished business" against Bengali immigrants. HLAING: He said it was unfinished business, they were carrying out an unfinished business. business, they were carrying out an unfinished business. It indicates the military had a an unfinished business. It indicates the military had a plan to wipe out this whole It indicates the military had a plan to wipe out this whole population. WILLIAMS: But in human rights language, what actually is it? language, what actually is it? Hallmarks of genocide. Hallmarks of genocide. Hallmarks of genocide. You don't embark on something like this, knowing that on this scale there is going to be an like this, knowing that on this scale there is going to be an international response, without scale there is going to be an international response, without the orders coming from the top international response, without the orders coming from the top of the military chain of the orders coming from the top of the military chain of command. of the military chain of command. So I suspect that Min Aung command. So I suspect that Min Aung Hlaing was very much in the know So I suspect that Min Aung Hlaing was very much in the know about this. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if a court subsequently least if a court subsequently were to make a determination were to make a determination that acts of genocide have been that acts of genocide have been perpetrated, it wouldn't perpetrated, it wouldn't surprise me in the least. NARRATOR: The U.S. State Department has launched an investigation into alleged State Department has launched an investigation into alleged atrocities against the an investigation into alleged atrocities against the Rohingyas; collecting evidence atrocities against the Rohingyas; collecting evidence that it says could one day be Rohingyas; collecting evidence that it says could one day be used to prosecute the military that it says could one day be used to prosecute the military for crimes against humanity. But despite the death toll and humanitarian crisis, there have been no major efforts humanitarian crisis, there have been no major efforts by the U.S. or other have been no major efforts by the U.S. or other countries to sanction Myanmar. by the U.S. or other countries to sanction Myanmar. Aung San Suu Kyi has continued countries to sanction Myanmar. Aung San Suu Kyi has continued to defend her country from Aung San Suu Kyi has continued to defend her country from international criticism. In January, she met with Bill Richardson, former U.S. ambassador to the United Richardson, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. ambassador to the United Nations. The two were old friends. Nations. The two were old friends. I said, "Look, friends are The two were old friends. I said, "Look, friends are real friends if they give frank I said, "Look, friends are real friends if they give frank advice. real friends if they give frank advice. Let the U.N. in. Don't condemn human rights groups that don't agree with groups that don't agree with you." you." And I said, "Look. And I said, "Look. My own government, the secretary My own government, the secretary of state, says it's ethnic of state, says it's ethnic cleansing. And she exploded-- she said, "Bill, you've got an agenda. There's terrorism with some of "Bill, you've got an agenda. There's terrorism with some of the Rohingyas." There's terrorism with some of the Rohingyas." That's when we had a huge the Rohingyas." That's when we had a huge altercation. That's when we had a huge altercation. I thought if we were closer, she altercation. I thought if we were closer, she would hit me. I thought if we were closer, she would hit me. I could see the anger in her would hit me. I could see the anger in her face. I could see the anger in her face. It was obvious she saw the face. It was obvious she saw the Rohingyas as not part of It was obvious she saw the Rohingyas as not part of Myanmar. Rohingyas as not part of Myanmar. That's when I realized she had Myanmar. That's when I realized she had changed. That's when I realized she had changed. changed. She had gone from a human rights She had gone from a human rights heroine, a beacon of democracy, She had gone from a human rights heroine, a beacon of democracy, to a politician wanting to cater heroine, a beacon of democracy, to a politician wanting to cater to the military. to a politician wanting to cater to the military. Wanting the military to support to the military. Wanting the military to support her. Wanting the military to support her. She wants to get re-elected. her. She wants to get re-elected. She likes this seat of power. She wants to get re-elected. She likes this seat of power. That's not the Aung San Suu Kyi She likes this seat of power. That's not the Aung San Suu Kyi I remember. That's not the Aung San Suu Kyi I remember. She is walling herself off from I remember. She is walling herself off from reality. She is walling herself off from reality. reality. NARRATOR: Late last month, NARRATOR: Late last month, Aung San Suu Kyi invited a UN NARRATOR: Late last month, Aung San Suu Kyi invited a UN delegation to Rakhine State. Aung San Suu Kyi invited a UN delegation to Rakhine State. Her government is now vowing to delegation to Rakhine State. Her government is now vowing to help refugees return to Myanmar. Her government is now vowing to help refugees return to Myanmar. But in the camps, the Rohingyas help refugees return to Myanmar. But in the camps, the Rohingyas are wary. 14-year-old Abdulsalam Ullah is from the village of Chut Pyin. He is haunted by what he saw from the village of Chut Pyin. He is haunted by what he saw there. ABDULSALAM ULLAH: Captioned by access.wgbh.org For more on this and other programs, visit our website programs, visit our website at pbs.org/frontline. "Frontline's" "Myanmar's Killing Fields" is available on DVD. Fields" is available on DVD. To order, visit shop.PBS.org To order, visit shop.PBS.org or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS. or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS. "Frontline" is also available "Frontline" is also available for download on iTunes. |
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