Myanmar Junta Announces Amnesty
The junta in Myanmar, also known as Burma, announced an amnesty for more than 7,000 prisoners on Friday, including a few political detainees. The amnesty came on the 21st anniversary of the brutal crackdown of a student-led pro-democracy movement in 1988 and the subsequent seizure of power by the current junta.
Journalists were invited to Yangon’s notorious Insein prison on Friday as the authorities released the first batch of prisoners. At least 600 inmates were freed as part of an amnesty for over 7,000 inmates nationwide. Among those released in Yangon were two journalists and 25 political prisoners -- rights groups say this is only 1 percent of the total number of political prisoners held by the military regime. Maung Zarni, a research fellow at the London School of Economics, was “happy for the prisoners who were part of the release”. “This is a very positive personal development and I am happy they have been released but we need to understand that the junta is using the prisoners’ release as a public relations exercise. It is the 21st anniversary of the military coup so they are using this as a way to pacify political discontent in the country.” Amnesty comes ahead of next year’s polls Myanmar's director general of prisons, Zaw Win, said that the prisoners had been freed so they could take part in next year's polls. In recent months, rights activists, pro-democracy activists and Western countries have cast doubt on the credibility of the planned elections as many key political activists are still in detention. This includes pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who recently began a new 18-month period of house arrest after being found guilty of violating her house arrest order in a widely condemned trial. “The whole Suu kyi trial is rather unlawful,” said Zarni. “Because the country does not have an independent judiciary, the judges are just puppets who dance to the tune of the top leadership.” Junta is holding on tightly In 1990, Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won Myanmar’s last general election by a landslide. But the junta never recognised the results and has since tightened its control over the country. The 2008 constitution, which was drafted and approved by the military generals, which guarantees the army 25 percent of parliamentary seats, is yet another sign of its desire to consolidate power. “The military is going to be in power for a long time,” warns Zarni, “because they have got control of all the political and economic institutions in the country as well as the entire state of Burma. So with or without elections, this is likely to remain the same.” New Democratic Party formed Meanwhile, a new political party has been formed in Myanmar. The Democratic Party is headed by Mya Than Than Nu, who is the daughter of the country’s first democratically-elected prime minister, U Nu. The party has proposed a power-sharing deal with the military, which would give 40 percent of power to politicians and 60 percent to the military rulers. Harn Yawnghwe, the director of the Brussels-based Euro-Burma Office, doubts the new party stands a chance: “It is possible that they they would be able to get some votes. But it is not likely, even if they were able to contest the elections freely, that they will be able to form a new government because the military is not prepared to let any party rule.” Democrats should exploit elections He thinks the only way out for the democratic forces in Myanmar is to use the upcoming elections wisely and “to take part in them even if they are against them. I think we have to look at the elections as a process which will lead to democracy -- maybe in few more years.” The National League for Democracy has indicated that it will not take part in the polls unless all Myanmar’s political prisoners, including Suu Kyi, are released. Suu Kyi’s lawyers have filed an appeal against the extension of her house arrest and the court is expected to give a ruling on October 2. But few are hopeful that the junta will amnesty her anytime soon. Author: Disha Uppal Editor: Anne Thomas
Myanmar
Myanmar Myanmar_national_football_team Myanmar_Football_Federation Burmese_language Myanmar_women's_national_football_team Myanmar_at_the_2005_Southeast_Asian_Games Myanmar_national_under-23_football_team Myanmar_national_under-20_football_team List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Myanmar Football_in_Myanmar Myanmar_national_cricket_team Miss_Universe_Myanmar State_Peace_and_Development_Council Myanmar_at_the_2013_Southeast_Asian_Games Buddhism_in_Myanmar Myanmar_(Unicode_block)
Myanmar
Myanmar Myanmar_national_football_team Myanmar_Football_Federation Burmese_language Myanmar_women's_national_football_team Myanmar_at_the_2005_Southeast_Asian_Games Myanmar_national_under-23_football_team Myanmar_national_under-20_football_team List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Myanmar Football_in_Myanmar Myanmar_national_cricket_team Miss_Universe_Myanmar State_Peace_and_Development_Council Myanmar_at_the_2013_Southeast_Asian_Games Buddhism_in_Myanmar Myanmar_(Unicode_block)
Burma
Myanmar Burma_Campaign Konbaung_dynasty British_rule_in_Burma Myanmar_national_football_team Toungoo_dynasty Burmese_Way_to_Socialism Post-independence_Burma,_1948–62 Burma_(film) State_of_Burma Japanese_occupation_of_Burma Myanmar_national_cricket_team Burma_Campaign_1944–45 Buddhism_in_Myanmar Japanese_conquest_of_Burma China_Burma_India_Theater
Friday
1988
Yangon
Yangon Yangon_International_Airport Yangon_Region Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Yangon Yangon_River Yangon_Central_railway_station Yangon_General_Hospital Thilawa_Port
Insein
Insein_Township Insein_Prison Insein,_Kale Insein_railway_station Insein
Friday
Yangon
Yangon Yangon_International_Airport Yangon_Region Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Yangon Yangon_River Yangon_Central_railway_station Yangon_General_Hospital Thilawa_Port
Maung Zarni
Maung_Zarni
London School of Economics
London_School_of_Economics
Myanmar
Myanmar Myanmar_national_football_team Myanmar_Football_Federation Burmese_language Myanmar_women's_national_football_team Myanmar_at_the_2005_Southeast_Asian_Games Myanmar_national_under-23_football_team Myanmar_national_under-20_football_team List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Myanmar Football_in_Myanmar Myanmar_national_cricket_team Miss_Universe_Myanmar State_Peace_and_Development_Council Myanmar_at_the_2013_Southeast_Asian_Games Buddhism_in_Myanmar Myanmar_(Unicode_block)
Zaw Win
Zaw_Win
Western
leader
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung_San_Suu_Kyi
Suu kyi
Aung_San_Suu_Kyi
Suu kyi trial
Zarni
Zarni,_Iran Maung_Zarni
1990
Suu Kyi
Aung_San_Suu_Kyi
National League for Democracy
National_League_for_Democracy National_League_for_Democracy_(Tanzania) Opposition_(Myanmar)
Myanmar
Myanmar Myanmar_national_football_team Myanmar_Football_Federation Burmese_language Myanmar_women's_national_football_team Myanmar_at_the_2005_Southeast_Asian_Games Myanmar_national_under-23_football_team Myanmar_national_under-20_football_team List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Myanmar Football_in_Myanmar Myanmar_national_cricket_team Miss_Universe_Myanmar State_Peace_and_Development_Council Myanmar_at_the_2013_Southeast_Asian_Games Buddhism_in_Myanmar Myanmar_(Unicode_block)
2008
Zarni
Zarni,_Iran Maung_Zarni
Burma
Myanmar Burma_Campaign Konbaung_dynasty British_rule_in_Burma Myanmar_national_football_team Toungoo_dynasty Burmese_Way_to_Socialism Post-independence_Burma,_1948–62 Burma_(film) State_of_Burma Japanese_occupation_of_Burma Myanmar_national_cricket_team Burma_Campaign_1944–45 Buddhism_in_Myanmar Japanese_conquest_of_Burma China_Burma_India_Theater
Democratic Party
Democratic_Party_(United_States) Democratic_Party_(Italy) Democratic_Party_(Serbia) Democratic_Party_(Hong_Kong) Democratic_Party_(Luxembourg) Democratic_Party_of_Albania Democratic_Party_(Mongolia) History_of_the_United_States_Democratic_Party Democratic_Party_(Turkey,_current) Democratic_Party_(Romania) Democratic_Party_(Cyprus) Democratic_Party_(Japan,_2016) Democratic_Party_(Japan,_1998) Democratic_Party_(Cook_Islands) Democratic_Party_(South_Africa) Democratic_Party_(Bulgaria)
Myanmar
Myanmar Myanmar_national_football_team Myanmar_Football_Federation Burmese_language Myanmar_women's_national_football_team Myanmar_at_the_2005_Southeast_Asian_Games Myanmar_national_under-23_football_team Myanmar_national_under-20_football_team List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Myanmar Football_in_Myanmar Myanmar_national_cricket_team Miss_Universe_Myanmar State_Peace_and_Development_Council Myanmar_at_the_2013_Southeast_Asian_Games Buddhism_in_Myanmar Myanmar_(Unicode_block)
Democratic Party
Democratic_Party_(United_States) Democratic_Party_(Italy) Democratic_Party_(Serbia) Democratic_Party_(Hong_Kong) Democratic_Party_(Luxembourg) Democratic_Party_of_Albania Democratic_Party_(Mongolia) History_of_the_United_States_Democratic_Party Democratic_Party_(Turkey,_current) Democratic_Party_(Romania) Democratic_Party_(Cyprus) Democratic_Party_(Japan,_2016) Democratic_Party_(Japan,_1998) Democratic_Party_(Cook_Islands) Democratic_Party_(South_Africa) Democratic_Party_(Bulgaria)
Mya Than Than Nu
prime minister
U Nu
U_Nu
Harn Yawnghwe
Brussels
Brussels City_of_Brussels R.W.D.M._Brussels_F.C. King_Baudouin_Stadium Brussels_Airport Memorial_Van_Damme Brussels-South_railway_station Donnay_Indoor_Championships Arrondissement_of_Brussels Brussels,_Ontario Belgian_Open_Championships Free_University_of_Brussels Brussels,_Illinois Brussels,_Wisconsin Trams_in_Brussels Brussels_and_the_European_Union
Euro-Burma Office
Myanmar
Myanmar Myanmar_national_football_team Myanmar_Football_Federation Burmese_language Myanmar_women's_national_football_team Myanmar_at_the_2005_Southeast_Asian_Games Myanmar_national_under-23_football_team Myanmar_national_under-20_football_team List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Myanmar Football_in_Myanmar Myanmar_national_cricket_team Miss_Universe_Myanmar State_Peace_and_Development_Council Myanmar_at_the_2013_Southeast_Asian_Games Buddhism_in_Myanmar Myanmar_(Unicode_block)
National League for Democracy
National_League_for_Democracy National_League_for_Democracy_(Tanzania) Opposition_(Myanmar)
Myanmar
Myanmar Myanmar_national_football_team Myanmar_Football_Federation Burmese_language Myanmar_women's_national_football_team Myanmar_at_the_2005_Southeast_Asian_Games Myanmar_national_under-23_football_team Myanmar_national_under-20_football_team List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Myanmar Football_in_Myanmar Myanmar_national_cricket_team Miss_Universe_Myanmar State_Peace_and_Development_Council Myanmar_at_the_2013_Southeast_Asian_Games Buddhism_in_Myanmar Myanmar_(Unicode_block)
Suu Kyi
Aung_San_Suu_Kyi
Suu Kyi
Aung_San_Suu_Kyi
October 2
Author: Disha Uppal Editor: Anne Thomas
Myanmar
Myanmar
slot::in slot::keyword topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Maung Zarni
Maung_Zarni
gender::male iptc::05000000 topic::education type::education_per type::entity type::person
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung_San_Suu_Kyi
gender::female iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::person type::politician
Friday
topic::none type::time type::value
1988
topic::none type::time type::value
Yangon
Yangon
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe2 type::location
Insein
Insein_Prison
iptc::02000000 topic::justice type::entity type::facility type::location type::prison
London School of Economics
London_School_of_Economics
iptc::05000000 topic::education type::education_org type::entity type::organization
Zaw Win
gender::male iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::person type::politician type::politician_national
Western
Western_world
topic::none type::loc-x type::other
leader
topic::none type::role type::value
Suu kyi trial
meta::redo
1990
topic::none type::time type::value
National League for Democracy
National_League_for_Democracy
iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::organization type::party
2008
topic::none type::time type::value
Democratic Party
Democratic_Party_(Myanmar)
iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::organization type::party
Mya Than Than Nu
gender::female iptc::11000000 slot::head topic::politics type::entity type::person type::politician
prime minister
topic::none type::role type::value
U Nu
U_Nu
gender::male iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::head_of_gov type::person type::politician
Harn Yawnghwe
gender::male iptc::11000000 slot::head topic::politics type::activist type::entity type::person
Brussels
Brussels
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe2 type::location
Euro-Burma Office
iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::ngo type::organization
October 2
topic::none type::time type::value
Author: Disha Uppal Editor: Anne Thomas
topic::none type::footer type::other
Belgium
United_Kingdom