The head of Myanmar’s military government has granted amnesty to nearly 4,900 prisoners. The amnesty was issued on the day the country marks its traditional New Year, state media reported. An independent organization said that at least 22 of the released prisoners are political detainees.
At least 19 buses with prisoners were seen leaving Insein prison in Yangon, and relatives gathered at the prison gate to wait for their loved ones on the morning of April 17th.
The Myanmar Network for Political Prisoners, an independent watchdog group that tracks human rights violations in Myanmar’s prisons, said in a statement that, based on initial information, at least 22 political prisoners were released.
General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the Military Council leading the country, pardoned 4,893 prisoners, MRTV reported. Thirteen foreign nationals were also released and deported from Myanmar, state media said.
Other prisoners had their sentences reduced, except for those convicted of serious charges such as murder, rape, or security-related crimes.
If the released prisoners break the law again, they will have to serve the remainder of their original sentences, in addition to any new sentences, according to REL.
Mass amnesties during holidays are not uncommon in Myanmar, a country formerly known as Burma.
Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta since February 1, 2021, when the army overthrew the elected government led by civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The military’s takeover sparked massive peaceful resistance, which later turned into an armed conflict. The country is now facing a civil war.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that collects detailed data on arrests and victims related to political conflicts in the country, around 22,197 political prisoners — including Suu Kyi — were still in detention as of last Friday.
Many of these political prisoners are accused of “incitement,” a charge that is widely used to arrest government or military critics. Anyone found guilty of this offense could face up to three years in prison.
