Thein Sein government frees 514 prisoners including foreigners

Myanmar’s President Thein Sein has pardoned to 514 prisoners, according to an announcement on the information ministry’s website yesterday. 

It said the release of more prisoners is aimed at establishing stability of the state and eternal peace. 

Ko Tun Kyi, a member of Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, said yesterday he did not know exactly how many political prisoners would be freed. Preparation was ready to welcome the prisoners to be released from Insein Prison. He hoped that the move could mean all remaining political prisoners would be freed under the term of amnesty, adding that President U Thein Sein would set off to China the following day and then proceed to the US. The US has been pushing Myanmar on the track to democracy and human rights.

 “As I had been in prison for so many years, I understand the feeling and suffering of political prisoners. There could be many good people among those political prisoners. And I also wish many political prisoners will be released this time. I would appreciate the government for doing this. I would like to request if there are some political prisoners left behind, I want them to be released soonest. By releasing the political prisoners, the government will earn the respect and trust of the people and international community. The government could do more for the national development by its good accountability,” said Ko Zaw Min of the 88 generation students.

Eighty-eight out of 424 political detainees remain in prison.

After the 2010 general elections, the civilian government has granted three amnesties to many prisoners. A total of 6,656 prisoners – 6087 men and 569 women – were first granted amnesty on January 3 while another batch of 651 prisoners were released on January 13. The last amnesty was granted to 83 prisoners – 37 men and 46 women – on July 3.

Former political prisoners said although more than 650 political prisoners have been released, many political prisoners convicted on illogical grounds, such as explosives charges, still remain behind bars.

Sources from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) show that Myanmar has 424 political prisoners as of September 1. They have been detained by the military junta and persecuted and sentenced under the Emergency Act.

U Tun of the AAPP said the number of political prisoners released from Insein Prison was only eight and very few compared with the number of political prisoners remaining in jail. 

 “There should no longer be political prisoners in Myanmar during these reforms. The President himself said all citizens should take part in our country's reforms. All political prisoners should be released now. Our objective is to release them all without any condition. It is really important. The number of them released now is very few according to the current reports. We request that all the rest of them be released.”said U Tun Kyi.