Myanmar Government Pardons Political Prisoners; Pro-Democracy Activists Vow to Continue Struggle
International Herald Tribune: Pro-democracy activists remain defiant after release from Myanmar prisons
January 4, 2007
Click here for a Printer Friendly Version

The authoritarian military regime of Myanmar has released around 3,000 prisoners through an amnesty program, claiming that the “moral behavior and spiritual values (of the prisoners) have improved and changed for the better.”  The prisoner release comes prior to the Myanmar Independence Day, following with the tradition of the government to offer amnesty to prisoners prior to holidays. 

Unlike previous amnesty events for prior holidays, this year’s Independence Day reprieves include political prisoners rather than only “petty criminals.”  The International Herald Tribune report states that of the 3,000 prisoners freed, “at least 43 of them (had been) charged with political crimes…”  The military government refuses access to its 1,100 political prisoners by the International Red Cross.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) in Myanmar claims that 17 of its members were among the political prisoners pardoned.  The International Herald Tribune reports that the released prisoners “vowed Thursday to keep fighting for democracy.”  NDL member Than Htay, one of the released prisoners, said he would continue his duties and that he would “not surrender.” 

The military junta ascended to power in 1988 following a “bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators,” prior to their refusal of transitioning power to the democratically elected NLD in 1990.