Myanmar has released a total of 347 political prisoners, group says

Jan 5, 2012, 10:57 GMT

Bangkok - Myanmar's new government has released 347 political prisoners over the past seven months, leaving an estimated 1,000 behind bars, a prisoners' rights group said Thursday.

Myanmar President Thein Sein has announced three amnesties since May, releasing more than 20,000 inmates in total, the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) said.

But political prisoners have made up less than 2 per cent of that number, the group said, calling for more action for those still in jail.

'If Burma wants to show itself as a nation in democratic transition, it needs to account for why over 1,000 political prisoners continue to be deprived of their most basic liberties,' AAPP's Joint-Secretary Bo Kyi said, using the country's former name.

The international community has been pressing Myanmar's government to release all political prisoners as proof that the new regime is sincere about political reforms and democratization.

Thein Sein on Monday announced the government's latest amnesty, commuting death sentences to life imprisonment and reducing most jail terms, leading to the release of 34 political prisoners.

An earlier amnesty on May 17 freed 72 political prisoners while another on October 12 freed 241, according to AAPP figures.

The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, put the number of remaining 'prisoners of conscience' at less than 600.

AAPP, which is dedicated to monitoring political prisoners in Myanmar, said Monday's commuting of sentences fell short of an actual amnesty.

'Having a sentence reduced from 120 years to 90 years means nothing to those who sacrificed their lives for democratic transition and continue to languish behind bars,' Bo Kyi said.

Many of Myanmar's most prominent political prisoners, such as Khun Htun Oo, a leader of the Shan ethnic group, student leader Min Ko Naing, and Buddhist activist monk Gambira have been excluded from the recent amnesties, AAPP said.