Pro-Democracy Group Demands Political Prisoner Release, Rights Protections as Junta Forms New Govt

The Political Coordination Body (PCB), a group formed by diverse political forces inside the country with the aim of promoting federal democracy, on Tuesday called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, as one of nine demands.

Its demands come as the Min Aung Hlaing regime, which staged a coup ousting the democratically elected government in 2021, prepares to form a pseudo-civilian government following December-January junta-organized elections that were widely denounced as a sham. Regime boss Min Aung Hlaing was elected Tuesday as a vice-president by the junta-installed Lower House, and is expected to assume the presidency soon, pending a parliamentary vote to select the president from among three vice-presidents. A new government dominated by junta figures is expected to be formed in the coming days.

The PCB also called for guarantees that citizens’ rights to freedom of association and freedom of expression be upheld, and urged armed groups to avoid forced conscription and military actions that harm civilians, including attacks on religious buildings, hospitals and schools.