Irrawaddy-Mar 8
The junta-controlled Ministry of Immigration and Population has imposed new travel restrictions on Myanmar citizens, making national registration cards (NRCs), also known as citizenship scrutiny cards, necessary for travel as of April 1. Since last year’s coup, the military regime has continuously imposed new restrictions on the fundamental rights of citizens. The junta did not elaborate on the reason behind the latest restriction, saying only that it was introduced out of necessity. Under the new requirement, NRCs are required for people to travel or to stay anywhere apart from their homes. Many believe the latest restriction is targeted at leaders and members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), striking government employees, People’s Defense Force (PDF) fighters, student and anti-regime activists, and journalists who are on the run or in hiding to avoid being detained. Just two weeks after the February 2021 coup, the junta reintroduced the overnight guest registration system, which requires citizens to report to authorities if they stay overnight at an address other than the one officially registered on their NRCs or household registration certificates. That ensures that people have to reveal themselves when they show their NRCs at the relevant ward administration office. For those on the junta’s wanted list, reporting to the authorities effectively means turning yourself in voluntarily. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/regime-imposes-new-travel-restrictions-on-myanmar-citizens.html
