Myanmar’s military leader, Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, granted amnesty to nearly 4,900 prisoners in honor of the country’s traditional new year. While it was not specified how many political detainees were among those released, it is common for mass amnesties to occur during this holiday in Myanmar. The amnesty includes the release of 13 foreigners who will be deported from the country. Those convicted of serious charges such as murder and rape were not eligible for reduced sentences. The terms of the release state that if the freed detainees commit another offense, they will have to serve the remainder of their original sentences in addition to any new sentence.
Myanmar has been under military rule since February 2021 when the army ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Amid ongoing nonviolent resistance and an armed struggle, the country has descended into civil war. As of last week, over 22,000 political detainees, including Suu Kyi, were held in custody. The country has been facing challenges, including a recent devastating earthquake that claimed thousands of lives. In his New Year’s speech, Min Aung Hlaing pledged to focus on reconstructing and rehabilitating the earthquake-affected areas. He also reiterated plans to hold a general election by the end of the year and called for resolving conflicts through political means.
Despite the holiday atmosphere, clashes between the military and pro-democracy forces continued, with armed confrontations in rural areas raising concerns about casualties. Myanmar remains a nation in turmoil, grappling with political upheaval, ongoing violence, and the aftermath of natural disasters.
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