The fate of an estimated 8,00,000 Rohingya Muslims is uncertain as their temporary residence permit expires by the end of this month, the UN's special envoy for Myanmar warned. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee lee, said, "There are about 8,00,000 (white card holders) Rohingya.
But by the end of this month if it (white cards) expires and they have to turn it in and enter another process by May, it is very troubling because there has been no significant plan or portrayed in any reports that I have seen of what this entire process will mean and how it will affect the white card holders". According to the 1982 Citizenship law, the white card, a temporary residence permit, is one of the many colour-coded cards used to signify a Myanmar resident’s status.