Kavardan ethnic cleansing

Malgan Ethnic Cleansing
Part of the Terranilian Troubles
Location	Terranihil
Date	August 13, 2019-present
Target	Malgan Terranilians
Attack type	Ethnic cleansing and massacres
Weapons	AO weapons TPD
Deaths	12,000-18,000
Victims	ethnic Malgans
Perpetrators	Terranihil National Progressive Party Department of Internal Security Progressive Guard
Motive	Retaliation for February Seven Attack on Guršaun
Verdict	relocation, deportation, indoctrination, death

The Malgan Ethnic Cleansing is the relocation and attempted indoctrination of ethnic Malgans living in Terranihil by the Terranilian government beginning on February 10, 2020 and continuing until now. The campaign is mostly focused on Hégeis, a majority Christian city, where about 50% of Malgan-Terranilians live.

The campaign is being carried according to the Stability Order in response to the February 7th Attack on Guršaun, in which the Free Christian Army (FCA) attacked the Terranilian capital and killed 169 people. Several of the FCA terrorists were Malgan, and the Terranilian government suspects that the government of Malgax funds the FCA. Malgax has condemned the campaign; however, no other nation has released an official statement on the issue.

The Progressive Guard, the paramilitary unit under direct orders from the National Progressive Party, is the main perpetrator of the ethnic cleansing. The known methods used against Malgans include forced relocation to reeducation camps, deportation, demolishion of property and sometimes execution. It is unclear what occurs inside the camps; refugees have described brutal killings, bad living conditions, brainwashing and manual labor. Accusations of genocide, torture and execution by labor have been made but remain unconfirmed.

Terminology

The Terranilian government officially states that its campaign against ethnic Malgans is neither ethnic cleansing nor genocide. Rather, it states that it intends to reeducate Malgans, who have damaged Terranilian culture and society. The exact terminology used by the Terranilian government is the "reeducation of the religiously and politically disturbed."

Ethnic cleansing seems to be the most appropriate term since there is no evidence that Terranihil is attempting to systematically kill ethnic Malgans. The campaign mostly focuses on removing Malgans from Terranilian cities. Protestors against the camps have described the events as a genocide.

The phrase "Malgan Vacation" has spread around Terranihil as a euphemism for the ethnic cleansing used by Terranilians but not officially by the government.

Background

Ethnic Malgans have lived in Terranihil for centuries, mostly in the north east. They make up 0.73% of the population (approximately 434,000 Malgans). The city of Hégeis is home to about half of Malgans. Although it is not written into law, the Terranilian government generally does not allow citizenship for Malgans.

The Department of Internal Security has identified several Malgan operatives within the Free Christian Army (FCA), a radical Christian terrorist organization. Terranihil has also accused Malgax of funding the FCA; however, no evidence was provided by Terranihil, and Malgax denies the accusations. On Febraury 7, 2020, the FCA carried out an attack on Guršaun in which 169 were injured and over 700 were injured. Several of the FCA terrorists involved in the attack were Malgan. This was the deadliest terrorist attack in Terranihil in over twenty years.

Distribution of ethnic Malgans in Terranihil. Red dots are reeducation facilities.

The Department of Internal Security released the Stability Order in response to the attack. The order created the Department for the Reeducation of the Religiously and Politically Disturbed, which would oversee the construction and administration of several reeducation facilities. The Order stated it would deport or relocate every person of Malgan decent.

Method of Removal

The information known about the methods used in the ethnic cleansing are according to the reports of deported Malgans. The Progressive Guard was reportedly unpredictable in their methods. Some Malgan households were informed that they would be removed before hand, while other were not. The Progressive Guard would often arrive earlier or later than the time they gave the Malgans. Families were not allowed to bring any personal belongings.

The Progressive Guard entered several Malgan communities and ordered the Malgans to leave their homes and enter the street. Any Malgan who refused to leave their home was met with violent force, often being beaten or killed. The Malgans were then escorted as a large herd towards the nearest railroad. Sometimes they were forced to walk upwards of fifteen miles without stop. Reports on the treatment of the sick and elderly vary. Some reported that those who lagged behind while traveling to the railroad were transported in trucks or vans, while others reported that they were killed.

Once they arrived at the trains, they were put onto cargo carriers until they were packed full and transported to either the northern border or one of the reeducation camps. Malgans reported that there was no space to sit and that they had to stay standing for several hours. There were no stops along the way, so they were forced to urinate in the crowded cargo box. Some Malgans died from exhaustion after the long walk and train ride.

Deportations

About 51,600 Malgans have been deported, mostly to Malgax and some to Greater Sacramento. Since most Malgans live in northern Terranihil, it is easiest to send them to Malgax. The DRRPD reported that 77,500 more Malgans are awaiting deportation.