I. Human Rights Violations and National Verification Cards 56 In April 2018, Myanmar Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Win Myat Aye said: “When NVC holders want to travel, they just need to fill out Immigration Form No. 4 and submit it to immigration officials. After that, they can travel wherever they want.”178 In 2018, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) spokesperson Dr. Nanda Hla Myint explained the purpose of Form Four, saying: “We use Form Four as a control mechanism for non-citizens, similar to how we used to use the Guest Registration Law or State Surveillance Law. If everyone is allowed to travel freely around the country, we lose that control . . . How can we prevent extremists from entering our country if we no longer have this mechanism?”179 An internal UNHCR document from April 2016 states that in order for Rohingya to obtain a Form Four, “it is necessary to provide to immigration the ‘White Card’ receipt or the ICNV [NVC], the Village Departure Certificate and a copy of the household list.”180 The UNHCR document further states that: “Rohingya residents are currently not permitted to travel from Maungdaw or Buthidaung to Rathedaung or to Sittwe citing security reasons. This does not apply to non-Rohingya residents of the same areas.”181 Moreover, Rohingya “are required” to hold an NVC in order get permission to travel outside of Rakhine State182 In July 2019, the Myanmar government issued pamphlets to refugees in Bangladesh, clarifying that “NVC holders in Rakhine State can freely travel in their townships of residence, and they can travel within the Rakhine State in accordance with the regional instructions of the Rakhine State Government.”183 Furthermore, English and Burmese language text on the NVCs instructs cardholders to carry the card: “[W]henever you travel, it must be shown whenever authorities request.”184 In June 2016, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights reported to the U.N. Human Rights Council: “The procedures [for Rohingya in northern Rakhine State] to secure travel are onerous and time-consuming. Failure to comply with requirements can result in arrest and prosecution.”185 A report by the Burma Human Rights Network in June 2019 also found that even with the NVC, Rohingya in Rakhine State face restrictions on their right to freedom of movement.186 178 “Myanmar Lifts Travel Restrictions on Rohingya with ‘Verification Cards,’” Radio Free Asia, April 19, 2018, https:// www.refworld.org/docid/5b2221fd4.html (accessed August 23, 2019). 179 Moe Myint, “Despite Govt Efforts, Divide Persists Over Rohingya Freedom of Movement,” The Irrawaddy, April 26, 2018, https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/despite-govt-efforts-divide-persists-rohingya-freedom- movement.html (accessed August 23, 2019). 180 UNHCR, Movement Restrictions for Stateless Residents in Rakhine State. 181 Ibid. 182 Ibid. 183 Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population Department, “National Verification Card Relevant Facts.” 184 See, Annex I: National Verification Card (NVC). 185 Human Rights Council, Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Situation of Human Rights of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/32/18, June 29, 2016, p. 8. Violations may be punishable under the Section 188 of the Myanmar Criminal Code, which prohibits “disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant” and carries a sentence of up to one-month imprisonment and/or a fine of 20,000 Myanmar Kyat (US$14). Myanmar Criminal Code, January 5, 1861 (amended July 1, 2016). 186 Burma Human Rights Network, National Verification Cards, p. 20.