II. Post-Coup Human Rights Violations Related to National Verification Cards in Myanmar 58 NVC Requirements for Rohingya Humanitarian Aid Workers In 2019, Fortify Rights documented how five humanitarian organizations operating in northern Rakhine State contributed to facilitating the NLD-government’s discriminatory policies and practices against Rohingya by requiring Rohingya staff to obtain NVCs as a condition of employment.235 This situation remains largely unchanged post-coup.236 For example, a 27-year-old Rohingya man from Buthidaung Township, who applied for a job in February 2021 to join an international humanitarian organization operating in Rakhine State, said the organization required a copy of the NVC to be “attached along with other documents” in his application.237 He described the process of applying for the NVC, which required a recommendation letter from his village administrator, a letter from the police station, and an up-to-date family list.238 He said: We must mark “Bengali” in the [application] forms. We call ourselves “Rohingya” . . . The word “Bengali” is already written on the form, and we just need to mark it. “Bengali” is also mentioned in the recommendation letter of the [Rakhine] village administrator and from the police station . . . When I tried to mention “Rohingya” at the [ethnic-Rakhine] village administrator’s office, they told me there is no Rohingya here, but you are “Bengali.” . . . . The applicants [for the international organization] who don’t have an NVC are not even shortlisted with the assumption that they won’t be able to work without an NVC. To apply for a post [with an international organization], the NVC is also attached along with the other documents.”239 Speaking about the impacts of obtaining the NVC, the man said: [The junta] are making us foreigners by forcefully making us accept the card, since they have power in their hands, even though we are natives of this country . . . I am already a citizen here and have all the qualifications to be a citizen. They forced me to be a foreigner.240 A Rohingya in Maungdaw Township who had knowledge of humanitarian operations in Rakhine State told Fortify Rights travel restrictions are imposed even on Rohingya aid workers and that “organizations are not in a position to hire Rohingya without NVCs.”241 235 In 2019, Fortify Rights documented how five international organizations operational in Rakhine State, in policy or practice, required Rohingya staff to hold NVCs. This requirement was largely due to Myanmar authorities’ pervasive restrictions on freedom of movement, and other freedoms, against Rohingya without NVCs and the challenges those restrictions would pose for staff in conducting their duties. Fortify Rights, “Tools of Genocide,” pp. 63-65. 236 Fortify Rights interview with A.Z. and A.I., Rakhine State, Myanmar, July 20, 2021 and March 13, 2022. 237 Fortify Rights interview with A.Z., Rakhine State, Myanmar, July 20, 2021. 238 Ibid. 239 Ibid. 240 Ibid. 241 Fortify Rights interview with A.I., Rakhine State, Myanmar, March 13, 2022.