A/HRC/39/CRP.2 between Maungdaw and Buthidaung but with a reduced validity, often between one and two weeks.1105 Since 2012, Rohingya residing in Rathedaung Township have not been able to travel to the centre of Rathedaung town, which has effectively prevented them from visiting the LaWaKa office and being able to apply for a Form 4 to travel to other townships legally. 507. The documents to be submitted when applying for a Form 4 permit include a village departure certificate, a copy of the household list and an identity document. Until 2015, the Rohingya were asked to present their temporary registration certificates (“white cards”) and since then their temporary registration certificate receipt. According to credible sources, in early 2017 the local authorities informed community leaders in northern Rakhine State that only holders of the National Verification Card (NVC) would be able to travel between townships.1106 (c) Specific restrictions within northern Rakhine and harassment at checkpoints 508. In northern Rakhine State, Rohingya have faced restrictions on movement for decades. In addition to the Form 4 procedure applicable throughout Rakhine State to move from one township to another, Rohingya in northern Rakhine State even need permission to travel from one village to another. In order to do so, they must obtain from their village administrator an authorisation, called “village departure certificate”. The procedure and the cost of the certificate vary between locations, although the price generally depends on the duration of stay outside the village. The traveller is also required to inform the village administrator at destination and to pay a similar fee.1107 The legal basis for these requirements remains unclear. However, their adverse and discriminatory impact is apparent. 509. Other restrictions regarding freedom of movement in northern Rakhine State stem from curfew orders that have been in place in Maungdaw and Buthidaung since June 2012. 1108 Such orders were also in place in other parts of Rakhine State but have since been lifted. 510. In northern Rakhine State, restrictions on freedom of movement are enforced through security checkpoints. These checkpoints were previously operated by the NaSaKa. Since 2013, they are mainly operated by the Border Guard Police and the Myanmar Police Force, but also the Tatmadaw. According to credible reports, as of October 2016 there were as many as 126 checkpoints in northern Rakhine State alone. This number was reportedly increased to 161 as of August 2017.1109 At checkpoints, Rohingya often face questioning, searches of vehicles and harassment.1110 The ethnic Rakhine must also go through these checkpoints but usually do not face similar intimidation and harassment. One interviewee explained: There were many checkpoints between villages. The security forces would check our cars, documents, and bags. They only checked the Rohingya, never the Rakhine. When a vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint, all the passengers had to get out, and the women and men would stand on different sides. Officials would check bags inside the vehicle, making a mess. Then, they would start checking people. Usually men had to go through a body check; for women there were female officers to check their body for anything suspicious. They would also check the handbags of women. If they found medicine, even a very basic type, they would ask why you are taking this. They would also check all our documents. The procedure would take between 45 minutes and one hour, depending on the number of passengers.1111 511. Moreover, security forces regularly impose arbitrary and often substantial “transit fees” for passage through checkpoints.1112 One interviewee summarised how bribes had to be paid to obtain the village departure certificate in Maungdaw, but also when passing through 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110 1111 1112 K-063, V-047. K-063, K-076, V-047. CI-061, CI-063, CI-064, CI-080, CI-082, CI-089, CI-090, CI-092, CI-094, DI-001, DI-002, DI-006, DI-010, DI-025, DI-026, DI-038, DI-051, DI-053, DI-073. See this chapter, section C.4.a: Curfews and prohibition of meetings of more than five people. K-076. CI-062, CI-063, CI-064, CI-079, DI-13, DI-026, DI-061. DI-026. CI-061, CI-063, CI-065, CI-079, CI-082, CI-090, CI-173, DI-001, DI-003, DI-013, DI-025, DI-051. 121