Myanmar passes the Union Citizenship Act, 1948, through which Rohingya have access to citizenship, reflected in the issuing of National Registration Cards (NRCs). Prime Minister U Nu recognizes Rohingya as indigenous to Myanmar. 19 48 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS: ROHINGYA CITIZENSHIP, 1948-2019 1970s The Myanmar government issues Foreign Registration Cards (FRCs) to some Rohingya under the Emergency Immigration Act, ostensibly to address unauthorized migration from India and Bangladesh. FRC holders are recognized as foreigners. 19 77 19 78 Myanmar passes new 1982 Citizenship Law effectively denying Rohingya full citizenship. Former President Senior General Ne Win says the law was intended to “clarify the position of guests and mixed bloods” and that “only pure-blooded nationals will be called citizens.” 19 82 19 89 The Myanmar military initiates Operation Naga Min (Dragon King) to identify and register residents of three states and two divisions as either citizens or foreigners. Beginning in Rakhine State in February 1978, the Myanmar Army reportedly razes Rohingya villages and commits severe human rights violations, forcing more than 200,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh. Myanmar authorities, at the time, blame the situation on “wild Muslim extremists” and “rampaging Bengali mobs.” Myanmar President Senior General Ne Win agrees to “repatriate” Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh. Bangladesh and Myanmar force hundreds of thousands of Rohingya back to Myanmar. The Myanmar government begins issuing Citizenship Scrutiny Cards, Associate Citizenship Scrutiny Cards, and Naturalized Citizenship Scrutiny Cards in line with the ethnic-based 1982 Citizenship Law. The government refuses to provide cards to Rohingya.

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