Right not to be deprived on the basis of disability of their ability to obtain, possess and utilise documentation of their nationality and other documentation of identification - Article 18(1)(b)) 23. The analysis in this submission with respect to Myanmar’s compliance with article 18(1)(b) of the CRPD is limited to the right not to be deprived, on the basis of disability, of the ability to obtain, possess and utilise both citizenship documentation and birth certificates. 24. Contrary to Myanmar’s obligations under article 18 of the CRPD, PLWD face significant barriers in obtaining, possessing and utilising citizenship documentation and birth certificates. 25. The Myanmar Government is in the process updating its current paper-based civil registration and documentation system to a digitalised system.31 It is imperative that the barriers to accessing Myanmar’s civil registration and documentation system (including the specific barriers faced by PLWD) are taken into account and addressed by the Myanmar Government throughout the digitalisation process, so as prevent further entrenching such barriers. 26. As long as PLWD are unable to obtain, possess and utilise citizenship documentation and birth certificates on an equal basis with others, Myanmar will be unable to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly target 16.9 to “provide legal identity for all including birth registration” by 2030.32 Citizenship Documentation 27. In Myanmar, citizenship documentation is required to enjoy a number of fundamental rights. Without citizenship documentation, a person does not enjoy the right to freedom of movement. This is because citizenship documentation is required to travel within Myanmar. Undocumented persons can apply for a “travel authorisation” from their local township administrator in order to travel.33 However, travel authorisations are provided only at the discretion of the township administrator.34 Citizenship documentation is also required to graduate from university, gain employment with registered businesses or the Myanmar Government, open a bank account and obtain loans from financial institutions or the Myanmar Government.35 Access to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population (MoLIP) 28. The Ministry of the Labour, Immigration and Population (MoLIP) is responsible for issuing citizenship documentation. Applicants for citizenship documentation must physically attend a MoLIP office to apply for and receive citizenship documentation. 29. There are a number of barriers that PLWD specifically face in attending the offices of MoLIP to apply for citizenship documentation. Htoo Thant, 9 May 2019, “Govt begins digitalisating personal information for ID cards”, Myanmar Times, https://www.mmtimes.com/news/govt-begins-digitising-personal-information-id-cards.html 32 UN Sustainable Development Goals, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg16 33 A Gender Analysis on the Right to a Nationality in Myanmar, page 17. 34 Ibid, page 17. 35 Ibid, footnote 134. 31 7