Myanmar still holds 120 political prisoners
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A number of 120 political prisoners are still in jail and 448 activists are awaiting trial despite the presidential pardon, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
In the latest report, it said in July 16 people were arrested and charged, 15 indicted, 21 sentenced and 17 released.
The Ministry of Information announced on July 30 the release of 6,966 prisoners, including 210 foreign detainees, in the first presidential amnesty since October 2014.
According to AAPP, only 13 political prisoners were included in the release.
AAPP and Former Political Prisoners Society (FPPS), another rights group which is fighting for the same cause, has been criticising the government over the amnesty for the release of many criminals while political prisoners remained behind bars.
The FPPS sent a letter to President Thein Sein last month, calling for the release of all political prisoners ahead of the November 8 election.
According AAPP, as of July, five political prisoners were reported to be in bad health. Among them were students detained in Tharrawaddy Prison following the violent crackdown on student protests against the National Education Law in March, it said.
Fourteen of the students and their supporters were released on bail in July; however, 63 remained in detention.
