Genocide by Attrition 57 In addition to requiring NVCs, the junta has also reinstituted earlier discriminatory policies requiring Rohingya to obtain a “Form-4.” An administrative order reviewed by Fortify Rights and issued by the junta-run General Administration Department of Buthidaung Township in Rakhine State on November 25, 2021 states, “Bengali people can only travel after obtaining legal permission (Form-4)” and that breaching the order will result in “strong action being taken as per the existing law.” The order further states that the restrictions are necessary to protect “township security and the rule of law.”228 In a separate internal letter, also obtained by Fortify Rights, from the military junta’s Ministry of Immigration and Population in Rakhine State’s Ponnagyun Township in Sittwe District dated November 10, 2021, Chief Officer Win Myint informed the Rakhine State Director of the Ministry of Immigration and Population located in Sittwe Township of the arrest and conviction of 45 “Bengali” for “travelling illegally.” According to the letter, the Ponnagyun Township Court convicted and sentenced individuals in the group on October 21 and, on November 2, the authorities released children, who were part of the group. At the time of writing, five adults remain detained.229 A Rohingya man, 25, from southern Buthidaung Township confirmed the continued necessity of a Form4 in order to travel, telling Fortify Rights in December 2021: “I had to take a Form-4 [from Buthidaung Township] to go to Maungdaw Township . . . I went to Maungdaw north to work on harvesting a rice field . . . [The junta forces] checked our Form-4 at three checkpoints while going to Maungdaw.”230 Another Rohingya man, 19, from Minbya Township confirmed that NVC-holders must still have a Form-4 to travel. He said: “Currently, I am holding an NVC as they are not giving us the national scrutiny card. Without having an ID card, it’s not possible to travel. When we travel with the NVC, we still need to apply for a Form-4.”231 Rohingya also described the challenges that the travel restrictions pose for their daily lives. For example, a 30-year-old Rohingya business owner from Buthidaung Township told Fortify Rights that he had to obtain an NVC to continue his business. He said: “I sell vegetables in Maungdaw . . . Before this, I did not have an NVC, so I could not do my vegetable business.”232 Another Rohingya man from Buthidaung Township, who obtained an NVC in May 2021, similarly shared how he had to obtain an NVC to continue his livelihood. He said: It has been two and half months since I took the NVC. I took the NVC after the military coup. I had to take the NVC from the Buthidaung immigration office. I took the NVC because we don’t have any business here [in Buthidaung], and I have to drive a car on the road. We can’t travel to Maungdaw and Buthidaung. That’s why I had to accept the NVC.233 He went on to describe his earlier experience being extorted at military checkpoints for not carrying an NVC. He said: “They took money from me three times at the four-mile check post. The last time was one month after the military coup . . . It was a multi-department checkpoint, and they took money from me, saying I didn’t have any documents.”234 228 The Buthidaung Township General Administration Department appended the November 25 order to an internal letter sent to multiple Myanmar military, police, and border-guard commanders as well as township administrative and justice officials. Order on file with Fortify Rights, November 25, 2021. See also, Fortify Rights, “U.N. Security Council: Take Urgent Action Against Myanmar Military Junta.” 229 Ibid. 230 Fortify Rights interview with A.H., Rakhine State, Myanmar, December 1, 2021. 231 Fortify Rights interview with B.D. Rakhine State, Myanmar, April 5, 2022. 232 Fortify Rights interview with Z.I., Rakhine State, Myanmar, July 19, 2021. 233 Fortify Rights interview with A.A., Rakhine State, Myanmar, July 20, 2021. 234 Ibid.