Myanmar releases about 100 political prisoners in amnesty

Oct 12, 2011, 9:29 GMT

Yangon - Myanmar's new government on Wednesday amnestied more than 100 political prisoners, leaving an estimated 2,000 activists still under detention.

Among those released was comedian Zarganar, imprisoned for his wisecracks about the former ruling junta, who had been detained in Myitkyiha, Kachin State.

Zarganar flew to Yangon where he was met by a gaggle of reporters who bombarded him with questions. Asked how felt after his release, he responded, 'I'm hungry.'

When one reporter asked him to make a joke, Zarganar quipped, 'I will not make a joke without earning money.' On a more serious note, he said he would continue to be involved in Myanmar politics.

General Hsay Htin, leader of the outlawed Shan State Army, was also released from prison in Rakhine State, where he was serving a 160-year jail term, said government sources who asked to remain anonymous.

Aung Kyaw Soe, 44, a former member of the All Burma Students for Democracy Front, was one of the few political prisoners in Yangon's Insein jail, where he was on death row.

He was released along with 600 other prisoners, the vast majority imprisoned on criminal charges.

'I welcome this amnesty but feel sad for those who still left in prison,' Aung Kyaw said upon his release. 'I will see the political situation and do what I should do.'

President Thein Sein's office on Tuesday said 6,359 prisoners would be released 'for the sake of the nation.'

It was not clear exactly how many prisoners had been released Wednesday, a national holiday, and whether more amnesties were planned in the near future.

'Today's amnesty does not distinguish Myanmar's new government from its previous military government,' said Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International's Myanmar researcher.

'If Myanmar's authorities are serious about demonstrating their commitment to reform, this must be only the first step towards a release of all political prisoners as soon as possible'.

The move came at a time of raised hopes that Myanmar, ruled by military regimes since 1962, has turned a political corner under its new government, which took office six months ago.

Western nations have been pressuring the government to release an estimated 2,100 political prisoners as a crucial step towards national reconciliation and normalization of diplomatic ties.

Releases would take place nationwide throughout the day, sources said.

Military rulers had granted amnesties in the past, but only a handful of political prisoners were included in the lists of those released.

The latest amnesty coincides with the Thadingngut Festival of Lights, which celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent.

Thein Sein created optimism about genuine political reforms after he met privately for the first time with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in August.

Western democracies have imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar since 1988 when an army crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators killed an estimated 3,000 people.

The United States and Europe have called on the new government to match its words with actions. Kurt Campbell, US assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, said Monday in Bangkok that there were 'dramatic developments under way.'

Myanmar held its first general election in 20 years in November, bringing a new pro-military government into office in April.