More political prisoners to be released

The Ministry of Information said 199 political activists were released from detention after police dropped charges against them on Friday, ahead of the April 9-20 holiday.

Those freed included 69 student activists arrested a year ago during a march to demand education reform.

A total of 2,178 inmates who had already served their jail terms were released from prisons across the country on Friday, the ministry said on its website.

More political prisoners were to be released under an amnesty, and the cases against remaining political activists would be dismissed after the holiday, it said.

There were 121 inmates convicted of political crimes and 418 awaiting trial in the country, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) before the latest release.

General prisoner amnesties are fairly common in Myanmar. An amnesty in July for almost 7,000 inmates included around 20 political prisoners.

Catherine Ray, the spokesperson of the EU External Action Service, issued a statement to welcome the release.

"The release of 69 student protesters, who were detained for more than a year, sends a strong signal of commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms by the new Myanmar government. The European Union has followed these cases closely and regularly observed court hearings as part of our human rights engagement. We look forward to the release of all remaining political prisoners and their full rehabilitation," she said.

 

Activists seek release of all 

The release followed protests by activists last week.

An unauthorised protest was held in front of Yangon City Hall, led by six activists who were detained for violating Section 18 of the Peaceful Assembly Law. They wore prison uniforms and had not asked for official permission, again violating Section 18. 

"We all desire the release of detained political prisoners, farmers and especially the students. The detained students should be studying at university not rotting in prison. They should enjoy the fruits of democracy under the new government. We demand the new president grant an amnesty for all political prisoners before the Thingyan New Year,” said Moe Thu, who participated in the movement.

The protesters challenged the authorities to prosecute them under the oppressive Section 18, which forbids demonstrations without a permit. 

Further protests are planned.  

The Democracy Force, some civic and social organisations and political activists prayed for releases and freed caged birds in Maha Bandula Park on April 4.

 

Better care sought 

AAPP has completed research of 3,000 former prisoners and the torturing of the detained students. It will be published in May or June, according to Aung Myo Kyaw from the organisation.

The AAPP and Former Political Prisoners Society published an interim report in February last year.

“The main thing in the report will be how much former political prisoners suffered from torture and how many families were broken when someone was imprisoned for a political act. How many families faced failure in their businesses and how many children had their education ruined? These findings will be come out in the percentages. We also deciding what is the most important thing for a former political prisoner: money, livelihood, education or vocational training, shelter or health care,” said Aung Myo Kyaw.

The report's publication was delayed by November's election and the transfer of power. It will be published in English and Myanmar.

There is no rehabilitation for former political prisoners and the many lives remain ruined, the interim report says. 

The new government should give health care, physical and mental assistance, according to the Hanthawady U Win Tin Foundation.