The President’s Office has lifted the conditions set against political prisoners under Section 401 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure after they were released under the presidential amnesty.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said the President’s Office’s announcement on April 17 affects around 4,000 political prisoners.
“Political prisoners have been released before they have fully served their sentences. They might have to serve the [remaining] sentences again together with new charges if they are arrested again. Now, everything has been lifted. Since this ‘U-turn’ law no longer exists, this affects around 3,000-4,000 political prisoners. This is a good point that should be welcomed,” said U Tate Naing, secretary of the AAPP.
The new President U Win Myint gave the pardon on humanitarian grounds to 8,490 citizens serving jail sentences to mark the Myanmar New Year.
According to the AAPP, 36 political prisoners have been released under the presidential amnesty.
“According to the latest list, 36 out of 54 people from given list have been released. This means there are 18 people left. We want to request [the government] to scrutinize this again. We will make the demand. One of the [18 prisoners], Ko Aung Ko Htwe, is facing another trial. He attended the court hearing on the 10th (April 10). That’s why he wasn’t included,” said U Tate Naing.
According to statistics from the AAPP, 74 people are facing trial for political charges in prison and 120 people are facing trial outside the prison.
“Currently, 74 people are facing trial in prison for political charges. A total of 120 people are also facing trials from outside. We will continue to make demands for their release,” said the AAPP.
Former Maj. Win Naing Kyaw from Tharrawaddy Prison, who was given the death penalty, Lt-Col Khun Kyaw, also known as Ko Than Chaung, from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), and two pastors who assisted the journalists during Mongkoe conflict were among the released prisoners.
This is the second time amnesty has been granted by the National League for Democracy (NLD) government after former President U Htin Kyaw pardoned the prisoners last year.
A total of 8,490 citizens have been released from prison today (April 17) including 6,362 people that have been imprisoned for drug offences.
