AHRDO Welcomes the Recent Release of Prisoners, Including Political Prisoners, Under the Thein Sein Government of Burma

Arakan Human Rights and Development Organisation (AHRDO) welcomes the release on 12 October 2011 of 6,359 prisoners. As of October 13 according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP-Burma) approximately 220 political prisoners including […]

Piecemeal Releases of Political Prisoners do not Demonstrate Genuine Commitment to Necessary Reforms

The release this week of an estimated 220 political prisoners in Burma comes as a relief to their families and colleagues, but again fall far short of a key benchmark for reconciliation and genuine transition to democracy, namely the unconditional and immediate release of all remaining political prisoners and the cessation of military attacks on civilians,

Burma’s Regime Does it Again: Political Prisoners Remain in Jail

On 12 October, Burma’s regime released 6,359 prisoners from jails across the country. However, only 220 political prisoners were among those released.

The regime’s routine mass releases of prisoners haven’t resulted in the release of significant numbers of political prisoners. Political prisoners have accounted for about 1% of the prisoners freed by the regime during mass amnesties […]

Seven Trade Unionists Released From Prison

The International Trade Union Confederation welcomes the recent release from prison of 7 trade unionists (*). However, much more remains to be done. Burma’s regime recently announced an amnesty for 6,359 prisoners; yet only 200 of them were political prisoners serving lengthy sentences in prisons across the country […]

Update: Release of Only 220 Political Prisoners Shows Regime is Not Committed to Real Change

The day after the amnesty of prisoners, hinted at in recent weeks by Burma’s regime, many inside and outside Burma expressed their disappointment and frustration over the number of political prisoners included in the amnesty.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), 220 political prisoners were released yesterday from different prisons across the country. This number is unsatisfactory, especially since key leaders and high-profile prisoners, including Min Ko Naing, Khun Htun Oo and U Gambira, remain behind bars.

As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi expressed, “The freedom of each individual is invaluable, but I wish that all political prisoners would be released.” A well-known dissident from Burma and popular comedian, released from prison yesterday morning after 3 years, Zarganar said, “I will be happy, and I will thank the government only when all of my friends are freed.”

Burma’s regime most likely announced the amnesty of 6,359 prisoners in an attempt to have EU and US sanctions lifted. It is the latest development after several months of the regime’s “charm offensive,” designed to win over the international community by giving the impression that change is underway in Burma. After yesterday’s event, it is even more clear that the regime has not made any genuine democratic changes. Democratization and national reconciliation in Burma will not be possible as long as the regime’s critics remain behind bars. Asked about change in Burma, Zarnagar said, “Since this morning, I lost belief in them” […]

Prisoner Release Lacks Sincerity

Yesterday, the U Thein Sein administration attempted to appease the international community by offering its second so-called amnesty. Though the announcement was made on the 11th of October that 6,359 prisoners would be released, no public information […]

Burma’s Amnesty and Release of Political Prisoners

Approximately 200 political prisoners including famous comedian Zargana and labour activist Suu Suu Nway – the two Burmese activists honoured in Canada with human rights awards – have been released under an amnesty announced for a total of 6,359 prisoners in Burma […]

A Step Forward, On a Long Path

As part of the government of Myanmar’s earlier announcement of a general amnesty to release 6,359 prisoners starting from yesterday, at least 200 political prisoners have since been released. However, many more political prisoners, prisoners […]

Press Statement: BCD Calls on India to Pressure Burma to Reveal its Commitment to Democracy

Today, Burma Centre Delhi submitted a memorandum to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India during a three-day visit of Burma’s President, U Thein Sein to India […]

Zarganar Freed, but DVB Video Journalists Still Held

Reporters Without Borders hails today’s release of the blogger and comedian Zarganar from Myitkyina prison, in the northern state of Kachin, under a “general amnesty” affecting dozens of political prisoners, but urges the government to pursue this conciliatory policy by freeing all detained bloggers and journalists including 17 Democratic Voice of Burma video journalists […]