Govt to free more than 6,000 prisoners, including (perhaps) those held on political grounds
The announcement was made today on state TV. Release will begin tomorrow with the old, the sick and those whose behaviour has improved after serving “an appropriate amount of time” behind bars. Some political prisoners might be among them, but nothing has been confirmed. As strongman General Than Shwe’s rule fades away, democracy can breathe some fresh air.
Yangon (AsiaNews) – Myanmar state media announced today the release of 6,359 prisoners starting tomorrow. However, the number of those who might be deemed ‘political’ prisoners, i.e. arrested and jailed for their opinions or pro-democracy stance, remains unclear. The announcement follows a statement from the recently created government-backed National Human Rights Commission, which called on President Thein Sein to release “prisoners of conscience”. In a letter published in state media, the Commission said those who did not "pose a threat to the stability of state" should be freed to help with nation-building.
A statement read out on MRTV 4 said that the more than 6,000 prisoners to be released would be “of old age, suffering poor health and disability, whose moral behaviour has improved after serving an appropriate amount of time”. They might also include the more than 2,000 prisoners jailed for political reasons, but there is no confirmation of that.
The announcement on state TV follows weeks of speculation about an impending presidential general pardon, and the statement by the National Human Rights Commission calling for “prisoners of conscience” to be freed.
An anonymous government source reportedly told the Associated Press that “some political detainees” would be included.
Myanmar detains, often in appalling conditions, nearly 2,000 lawmakers, activists, journalists, monks and artists, like the popular comedian Zarganar who was arrested in the wake of cyclone Nargis.
The country is undergoing major political and social changes but it is unclear how they will unfold. For example, the break in the construction of the Myitsone in the northern Burmese state of Kachin on the border with China has angered Beijing, Myanmar’s main trading partner. For their part, the Burmese are demanding greater freedom of the press and less media censorship. At the same time, Aung San Suu Kyi is planning a political comeback, with the possible rehabilitation of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which was banned ahead of last November’s parliamentary elections.
With the shift to “civilian” control under former military officers with the backing of the current military leadership, including the current president, Myanmar appears to be moving away from the hard-line stance it has had during the 20-year reign of strongman General Than Shwe.
As the old dictator goes into retirement, the Burmese might expect greater freedom, especially since the old military leadership was already divided between hardliners close to Than Shwe and moderates close to current President Thein Sein, who is seen as the regime’s softer face.
As AsiaNews indicated in September of last year, two months before the general elections, Myanmar’s strongman used the poll as a last attempt by the military regime to run the country from behind the scene and thus avoid a fall from grace as was the case for his predecessors Ne Win and Saw Maung, who were repudiated during their funeral (see Tint Swe, “Elections in Burma: Than Shwe moves to ensure funerals with “pomp and honour,” in AsiaNews 20 September 2010).
Yet, the country’s current leadership appears to be on the verge of changing direction, expressing some openness towards the international community and democracy. (DS)
A statement read out on MRTV 4 said that the more than 6,000 prisoners to be released would be “of old age, suffering poor health and disability, whose moral behaviour has improved after serving an appropriate amount of time”. They might also include the more than 2,000 prisoners jailed for political reasons, but there is no confirmation of that.
The announcement on state TV follows weeks of speculation about an impending presidential general pardon, and the statement by the National Human Rights Commission calling for “prisoners of conscience” to be freed.
An anonymous government source reportedly told the Associated Press that “some political detainees” would be included.
Myanmar detains, often in appalling conditions, nearly 2,000 lawmakers, activists, journalists, monks and artists, like the popular comedian Zarganar who was arrested in the wake of cyclone Nargis.
The country is undergoing major political and social changes but it is unclear how they will unfold. For example, the break in the construction of the Myitsone in the northern Burmese state of Kachin on the border with China has angered Beijing, Myanmar’s main trading partner. For their part, the Burmese are demanding greater freedom of the press and less media censorship. At the same time, Aung San Suu Kyi is planning a political comeback, with the possible rehabilitation of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which was banned ahead of last November’s parliamentary elections.
With the shift to “civilian” control under former military officers with the backing of the current military leadership, including the current president, Myanmar appears to be moving away from the hard-line stance it has had during the 20-year reign of strongman General Than Shwe.
As the old dictator goes into retirement, the Burmese might expect greater freedom, especially since the old military leadership was already divided between hardliners close to Than Shwe and moderates close to current President Thein Sein, who is seen as the regime’s softer face.
As AsiaNews indicated in September of last year, two months before the general elections, Myanmar’s strongman used the poll as a last attempt by the military regime to run the country from behind the scene and thus avoid a fall from grace as was the case for his predecessors Ne Win and Saw Maung, who were repudiated during their funeral (see Tint Swe, “Elections in Burma: Than Shwe moves to ensure funerals with “pomp and honour,” in AsiaNews 20 September 2010).
Yet, the country’s current leadership appears to be on the verge of changing direction, expressing some openness towards the international community and democracy. (DS)
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17/03/2021 13:08
