Myanmar coup: Junta to release over 7,000 prisoners on amnesty

Myanmar state media announced that over 7,000 prisoners would be freed under amnesty. The release comes as the country is set to mark its independence day.

Myanmar state broadcaster MRTV announced on Wednesday that the junta government would be releasing 7,012 prisoners under an amnesty to mark Myanmar’s 75th independence day. The broadcaster said the amnesty would not be given to those convicted of murder, rape, or charges related to explosives, weapons, unlawful association, drugs, corruption, and natural disaster management.

Junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing thanked countries that maintained support for Myanmar in his address, even in the face of increased isolation and sanctions from the international community since the generals seized power from Myanmar’s elected government nearly two years ago.

“I want to say thank you to some international and regional countries and organizations and individuals who positively cooperated with us…in the midst of all the pressure, criticisms, and attacks,” said the junta leader in his remarks at the capital Naypyidaw.

“We are closely working with neighboring countries such as China, India, Thailand, Laos, and Bangladesh. We will work together for border stability and development,” said the junta chief.

Myanmar has faced unrest since February 2021, when the generals seized power and ousted the elected government and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta’s crackdown resulted in hundreds dead and thousands detained.

The ASEAN regional grouping that Myanmar is a member of has expressed frustration at the lack of progress on implementing the five-point peace plan that was agreed upon by the generals shortly after staging the coup.

While street protests have become rare, the military has often clashed with ethnic minority forces, and insecurity has since spread to more parts of Myanmar, with members of the so-called People’s Defense Force taking up arms in order to bring a return to democracy.

Among those who were freed under amnesty were former minister Thura Aung Ko and author Htin Lin Oo who served as an official in Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party. Some student leaders, journalists, and activists were also freed under amnesty.

Last month, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Myanmar for the first time in 74 years, calling on the junta to end the violence and free all political detainees.