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The state-run Myanmar Radio and Television service reported on Sunday that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military government, officially pardoned 6,134 prisoners, as well as at least 52 foreigners. Other prisoners received reduced sentences, except those held on serious charges such as murder or rape.
The pardons mark the 78th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence from Britain, gained on January 4, 1948. The act has been described as a measure toward “pacifying the hearts and minds of the people and respecting humanity.” Further, the military government indicated a desire to “maintain friendly relations between countries and respect humanitarian considerations.”
Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the military government, told journalists that approximately 600 of those released had been imprisoned under Section 505 of Myanmar’s Penal Code. The section criminalizes any comments that may cause “fear or alarm to the public” or incite offenses against the state or “public tranquility.”
Zaw Min Tun also stated that majority of the foreigners to be freed are Thais who were arrested for gambling, along with some Indonesians who were arrested in Myanmar’s territorial waters.
It is unclear whether 80-year-old former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is among those pardoned. Her supporters have claimed she was convicted in “politically tinged prosecutions.”
The Myanmar government customarily releases prisoners to commemorate holidays and other significant occasions. All pardons come with a warning that if the freed detainees violate the law again, they will be required to serve the time remaining on their original sentences as well as any new sentences.
The pardons take place amid ongoing turmoil in the country, which began in early 2021. The military overthrew an elected civilian government and engaged in violent suppression of pro-democracy protests, leading to a nationwide armed rebellion.
Soe Win, deputy prime minister and army general, delivered a speech at the Independence Day celebration, calling on armed groups, formed by ethnic minorities, to “put down their weapons” and “resolve the political issue through peaceful means.”
Organizations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) continue to observe the situation and are especially concerned about the military government’s plans to hold elections throughout late December and January. Elaine Pearson, Asia director for HRW summarized the issues, saying:
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The pardons mark the 78th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence from Britain, gained on January 4, 1948. The act has been described as a measure toward “pacifying the hearts and minds of the people and respecting humanity.” Further, the military government indicated a desire to “maintain friendly relations between countries and respect humanitarian considerations.”
Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the military government, told journalists that approximately 600 of those released had been imprisoned under Section 505 of Myanmar’s Penal Code. The section criminalizes any comments that may cause “fear or alarm to the public” or incite offenses against the state or “public tranquility.”
Zaw Min Tun also stated that majority of the foreigners to be freed are Thais who were arrested for gambling, along with some Indonesians who were arrested in Myanmar’s territorial waters.
It is unclear whether 80-year-old former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is among those pardoned. Her supporters have claimed she was convicted in “politically tinged prosecutions.”
The Myanmar government customarily releases prisoners to commemorate holidays and other significant occasions. All pardons come with a warning that if the freed detainees violate the law again, they will be required to serve the time remaining on their original sentences as well as any new sentences.
The pardons take place amid ongoing turmoil in the country, which began in early 2021. The military overthrew an elected civilian government and engaged in violent suppression of pro-democracy protests, leading to a nationwide armed rebellion.
Soe Win, deputy prime minister and army general, delivered a speech at the Independence Day celebration, calling on armed groups, formed by ethnic minorities, to “put down their weapons” and “resolve the political issue through peaceful means.”
Organizations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) continue to observe the situation and are especially concerned about the military government’s plans to hold elections throughout late December and January. Elaine Pearson, Asia director for HRW summarized the issues, saying:
Speaking on Myanmar’s Independence Day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “We urge the military regime to cease violence, ensure unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, release those unjustly detained, and engage in dialogue to pursue a peaceful and long-term end to the crisis.”
The post Myanmar military government pardons thousands of prisoners appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.