Political prisoner advocates dispute Myanmar junta’s “inflated” amnesty figures as thousands remain behind bars

Mizzima

Rights groups and monitoring organizations are raising serious questions regarding the military junta’s Peasants’ Day amnesty, alleging that the actual number of political prisoners released is far lower than the official figures announced on 2 March.

While the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) claimed it would pardon 7,337 individuals convicted under the Counter-Terrorism Law as part of a 10,162-person release, the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) reports that only 3,613 political detainees from 31 prisons had been verified as free by the afternoon of 3 March.

“Although the military claimed over 7,000, there are only a little over 3,000 so far. We are seeing cases where those charged under Sections 52(a) and 50(j) have not been released. In fact, while the military uses large numbers to grab public attention, the truth is that political prisoners are not actually being freed as claimed,” said Ko Thaik Tun Oo, a member of the PPNM leading committee.

According to the list confirmed by PPNM as of 1:00 pm on 3 March, only 3,613 political prisoners from 31 prisons have been released so far.

PPNM noted that those detained under Sections 50(j) and 52(a) have not yet been released from most prisons, including Daik-U, Myingyan, Paungde, Maubin, Obo, and Insein. Additionally, no prisoners have been released from Bhamo Prison, where fighting is currently taking place.

“I want to say that this situation clearly shows the military’s true underlying intentions. The military needs to proceed with releasing those under Sections 52(a) and 50(j), as well as working towards the freedom of all political prisoners held under other charges. Since the military announces inflated figures to gain attention while failing to release people in reality, the international community needs to question them more and exert more pressure,” Ko Thaik Tun Oo said.

He further mentioned that PPNM is still investigating and confirming the list of political prisoners released under the junta’s amnesty but estimates the total will likely only reach between 4,000 and 5,000 at most.

Similarly, investigations are ongoing regarding reports of some political prisoners being re-arrested at the prison gates immediately after their release.

“We know so far that instances where prisoners are simply not being released at all are more than re-arrests after release. We are finding more situations where they are not even allowed to step outside the prison,” he said.

It is reported that those released on 2 March included the Naypyidaw Mayor from the NLD era, the Yangon Minister for Immigration and Population, some leaders of the University Students’ Union, ’88 Generation Peace and Open Society member U Zaw Win Maung, and several journalists.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) released a statement on the night of 2 March, confirming the names of 104 out of the 246 political prisoners reported to have been released under the Myanmar junta’s amnesty.