The military junta in Myanmar has announced that it will release more than 2,000 political prisoners. The occasion is a Buddhist holiday. The visit of the Chinese foreign minister could also play a role.
In Myanmar, the military junta has announced the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners as part of a new mass amnesty. They had been sentenced under a special paragraph that the generals used to quell resistance after their coup two years ago. Among those arrested were demonstrators and activists, but also politicians.
The reason for the mass amnesty is the Buddhist holiday “Kasone Full Moon Day,” the junta said. Many relatives were waiting in front of the Insein prison in the largest city of Yangon (formerly: Rangoon), which is known for its torture methods. So far, around 400 prisoners have left the prison, said an eyewitness to the dpa news agency.
Released 3,000 prisoners in mid-April
It was only in mid-April that the military released around 3,000 prisoners on the occasion of the “Thingyan” New Year festival. However, many convicts who are now being released have almost completed their sentences, said Yu Yu, who was waiting outside the prison for a family member. “The military wants to show the international community that it releases political prisoners, but most have already served their sentences.” Article 505a, used by the junta, provides for a maximum of three years in prison. “The political prisoners with longer sentences are not released,” said another eyewitness.
Chinese foreign minister visits
The mass amnesty became known during a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who has been in the crisis country for talks since Tuesday. Since the coup, Myanmar has been largely isolated internationally. With the trip, China wants to “support Myanmar’s efforts to maintain stability, revitalize the economy, improve people’s lives and achieve sustainable development,” Beijing said.
Qin is the most senior Chinese politician to have met with the junta chief since the military coup more than two years ago. China is a key ally and arms supplier to the Myanmar junta and has so far refused to condemn the coup.
Since the coup on February 1, 2021 and the removal of de facto Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi from power, the junta has ruled with an iron fist. Attacks and arrests keep happening. Suu Kyi is in prison. She was sentenced to a total of more than 30 years in prison for alleged misdemeanors.