The Myanmar junta has granted amnesty to a total of 10,162 prisoners comprising 7,337 individuals detained on political charges and 2,825 serving sentences for other crimes to commemorate Peasants’ Day on 2 March.Mizzima News Subscription
The amnesty specifically targeted 7,337 individuals convicted under Sections 50(j) and 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law and dropped charges against 12,487 others who were facing trial or listed as fugitives. Despite these releases, the move is widely viewed as a strategic gesture ahead of the new parliament’s first session, especially as State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention.
“We don’t know the full details yet. We have to keep monitoring the situation. Regarding the release of those under Sections 52(a) and 50(j), there are nearly 10,000 political prisoners in jail facing such charges. Therefore, our initial expectation is that at least over 2,000 political prisoners held under these specific sections will be included in this release,” Ko Thaik Tun Oo, founder of the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) said.
Among those confirmed to have been freed are award-winning documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe, who was previously serving a life sentence, and student union leaders Ma Su Yee Lin and Ko Htet Paing Soe.
While the Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar (PPNM) has documented at least 324 political prisoners released from ten different regional prisons as of Monday afternoon, many more are expected to be processed from major facilities like Insein and Obo prisons.
“This is only a preliminary list of those released. More prisoners are still being freed, so this should not yet be considered a final confirmed list. It is based on initial data that still needs verification. The figures reflect information collected up to 1 pm, and we are continuing to compile additional lists,” said Ko Thike Htun Oo, a member of the PPNM steering committee.
The PPNM noted that those released include 80 prisoners from Pakokku, 61 from Thaton, and 46 from Maubin, among others. Under Section 401(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, all released prisoners have been warned that if they commit a new offense, they will be forced to serve the remainder of their original sentence in addition to any new penalties.Myanmar Travel Guide
While the release of well-known figures like Shin Daewe and various student activists has been welcomed by their families, human rights groups emphasize that thousands of political detainees still remain in custody.
This mass clearance of cases and prison terms comes just two weeks before the junta-led government is expected to formally take office, serving as a tactical effort to project a sense of transition while maintaining strict control over the country’s primary political opposition.
