Myanmar Frees 69 Political Prisoners

Local Editor

Myanmar on Friday said it had released dozens of jailed dissidents, as the fast-changing former pariah state hosts top-level international visitors, including from the European Union.
The country pardoned 69 inmates, the latest in a series of releases that have been seen internationally as a key marker of its emergence from military rule.
Hundreds of political prisoners have been freed since 2011 and only a few dozen are believed to remain behind bars, although critics say the government is continuing to detain activists and opponents.
A statement from the president's office said the latest release was to "respect humanitarian grounds and allow [those freed] to be able to assist in nation building by understanding the benevolence and loving kindness of the state."
It reiterated a pledge that Myanmar would free all remaining detained dissidents by the end of the year.

The announcement, which said the releases began Friday, comes as Myanmar hosts a slew of international delegations.

President Thein Sein met EU for eign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday as part of a wide-ranging European mission to the country.

He also met former US president Bill Clinton, who is in Myanmar on behalf of his foundation, while former British prime minister Tony Blair is also in the country.
The Myanmar leader has been criticized by activists who accuse authorities of continuing to prosecute dissidents, particularly for protesting without permission. Scores remain behind bars, but the precise number of inmates is unclear.
Myanmar freed 56 political prisoners in October -- many linked to armed ethnic minority groups in the northern state of Kachin and the eastern state of Shan -- as the government strives to reach an elusive nationwide peace deal with rebels.
Some 70 were freed in July, many of whom were also from Kachin groups.
But fighting in Kachin near the northern border with China has continued since a 17-year ceasefire broke down in June last year, leaving tens of thousands displaced.

A government official, who asked not to be named, told AFP that identifying political prisoners had become complicated by the inclusion of those involved in the country's armed conflicts.

"There have been some cases of people convicted as arms dealers or bombers who have been recognized as political prisoners," he said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team