Myanmar government releases 200 political activists

Myanmar government on Saturday released nearly 200 political activists dismissing the cases registered against them. Suu Kyi called for the prisoner release through her new position as state counsellor. 

Myanmar president Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar government on Saturday released nearly 200 political activists dismissing the cases registered against them.

The release came two days after Aung San Suu Kyi made commitment of  releasing scores of political prisoners languishing in jails on priority basis.

"Police have dropped 199 cases against political activists around the country as of yesterday," the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. The issue has personal resonance for Suu Kyi and many in her fledgling government, which is stacked with former activists once jailed under junta rule for their pro-democracy campaigns.

Those freed on Friday included dozens of student activists in central Tharrawaddy who had been locked up for more than a year over an education demonstration they organised in March 2015.

In a statement later that night Suu Kyi said more political prisoners would be released following Myanmar's new year holiday, but that "necessary scrutinisation" would need to be completed first. The police officer told AFP more cases would be reviewed during the festival, which starts next week, and that other activists could be freed when the courts reopen.

Suu Kyi's administration is expected to seek the release of convicted political prisoners through a pardon signed by President Htin Kyaw, a close aide of hers who was sworn in last month.

Dissidents were routinely jailed by the brutal junta that strangled free expression in Myanmar for decades, one of many repressive policies that garnered global support for Suu Kyi's democracy struggle.

Friday's release of activists was applauded by international human rights groups, though many urged the new government to go a step further and amend legislation that allows authorities to round up peaceful protesters.

"We look forward to the release of all remaining political prisoners and their full rehabilitation," the European Union said in a statement. Watchdog groups in 
Myanmar say there are still hundreds of activists facing trial or being held in the country's notorious prisons, many of them arrested under the quasi-civilian government that stepped down last month after five years of transitioning the country from junta rule.

Suu Kyi called for the prisoner release through her new position as state counsellor, which she was given despite vehement opposition from the still-powerful military whose charter bars her from the presidency.

(Source : indiatoday.intoday.in)

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