Myanmar's amnesty

Addressing a gathering of sympathizers which included former prisoners and their families, Myanmar's democracy icon Suu Kyi applauded the government's initiatives and said the situation would get even better after more prisoners were released. Western countries have been demanding the release of nearly 2,000 political detainees including pro-democracy campaigners, journalists, monks and lawyers.

Zarganar, Myanmar’s famous satirist and political activist, was also among those released by the government. He was arrested in 2008 while organizing aid deliveries to cyclone victims in his country. He was sentenced to 59 years imprisonment, which was later reduced to 35 years. Another prominent student activist, Aung Kyaw Soe, was also released after being initially sentenced to life imprisonment.

Myanmar’s state government announced on Tuesday that more than 6,300 elderly, sick, disabled and well-behaved prisoners would be granted an amnesty from Wednesday on "humanitarian grounds." In a statement, the government said it would "help them to build a new nation."

Myanmar’s President, Thein Sein, who was part of the military junta which used to rule the country, has ushered in new reforms ever since he came to power after controversial elections last year. He has also initiated talks with Suu Kyi, whose party won elections in 1990, but was never allowed to form the government.

Agencies: Reuters, AFP (mg)
Editor: Grahame Lucas