Myanmar amnesty of political prisoners falls short of expectations

Oct 13, 2011, 3:18 GMT

Yangon - Myanmar's release of an estimated 155 political prisoners this week left hundreds more still in detention, opposition sources said Thursday.

'According to our estimates, the amnesty included at least 155 political prisoners, but we're still waiting to see the final list,' said Nyan Win, spokesman for the National League for Democracy opposition party, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

The government said it released 6,359 prisoners Wednesday on humanitarian grounds and 'for the sake of the nation' in a move watched closely by the international community for signs of an improvement in Myanmar's human rights record under its new government, which took office six months ago.

Although several well-known political activists were released Wednesday, including the comedian U Maung Thura, better known as Zargaran, many more remained in jail in a country with an estimated 2,100 political prisoners.

A comprehensive release of political prisoners is deemed crucial for normalization of ties between Myanmar and Western democracies, which have imposed sanctions on the country since 1988 after the army cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrators, leaving about 3,000 dead.

The United States welcomed this week's releases but called for further steps from the government, which took office from a military junta after the country's first elections in 20 years.

'I am glad a number of innocent civilians being held as political prisoners have been released, but I am disappointed that this step does not include the release of all individuals that are being wrongfully held,' US Congressman Joseph Crowley said.

'Bold and significant actions, not just words, are needed for true democratic reform in Burma,' he said of Myanmar's government, which is led by former military men. 'I hope Burma's military regime will do the right thing and release all remaining political prisoners, and I urge them to do so immediately and unconditionally.'