Amnesty in Myanmar - Nearly 5,000 prisoners to be released for New Year
Illustrative photo: It is unclear how many of those released are political prisoners (Getty Images)
The head of Myanmar's military government announced an amnesty for approximately 4,900 prisoners in celebration of the traditional New Year holiday, according to Bloomberg.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, head of Myanmar's ruling military council, granted amnesty to 4,893 prisoners, although it remains unclear how many of them are political prisoners arrested for resisting the military regime. Additionally, according to an official statement, 13 foreign nationals will be released and deported.
Other prisoners had their sentences reduced, except for those convicted of serious crimes, such as murder and rape, or those sentenced under various security laws.
Under the terms of their release, if these individuals break the law again, they will not only face new penalties but also serve the remainder of their original sentences in full.
The releases will take place in prisons across the country. As Bloomberg reports, mass amnesties during holidays are not uncommon in Myanmar.
Myanmar's military rule
Myanmar has been under military rule since February 1, 2021, when the army ousted the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup sparked peaceful protests, which later escalated into a large-scale armed movement. The country is currently embroiled in a civil war.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which tracks arrests and victims related to the political conflict, as of last Friday, there were 22,197 political prisoners in detention, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
Many of them were arrested on charges of incitement—a vague term often used to suppress criticism of the government or military, punishable by up to three years in prison.
New Year in Myanmar
The celebration of Thingyan, the local New Year according to the Burmese calendar, was more subdued this year due to the national mourning declared after a devastating earthquake that struck last month. The country continues to recover from the March 28 earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.7 and occurred in central Myanmar. Around 3,725 people were killed, and both new homes and ancient pagodas were destroyed.
In his New Year's address, which aired on Thursday, Min Aung Hlaing stated that the government would carry out reconstruction efforts in the affected areas as quickly as possible.
He also reaffirmed the intention to hold general elections by the end of the year and urged opposition forces, who are fighting the military, to resolve conflicts through political means.
Despite the holiday, the fierce struggle between the army and pro-democracy forces continued. Armed clashes occurred in rural areas, but the death toll remains unknown.
