Burma Releases 24 of 2,100 Political Prisoners
source: http://us.oneworld.net/article/360539-24-political-prisoners-released-burma
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Some 24 political prisoners were among the 6,000 detainees freed by the Burmese military regime this week, but thousands of political prisoners remain behind bars in the country.
The 24 political prisoners released Feb. 21 included pro-democracy activists detained for over a decade, members of Burma's opposition party the National League for Democracy, Buddhist monks, and a nun, according to the human rights monitor Amnesty International. However, "there are still more than 2,100 political prisoners behind bars in Myanmar," said Amnesty's Asia Pacific Deputy Director Donna Guest. "Many of them are in poor health, partly as a result of harsh prison conditions....While the release of these prisoners is welcome, the Myanmar government must release all other prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally."
In November 2008, about 70 activists were tried by unfair courts for their peaceful participation in large-scale pro-democracy protests in September 2007, after which hundreds of protesters were arrested, reports Human Rights Watch (HRW). HRW says the then-increased efforts to prosecute political activists "confirm that Burma's rulers are undermining basic freedoms more strongly than ever as they prepare for multi-party elections in 2010. Members of opposition parties and political activists have been sentenced under archaic laws that criminalize free expression, peaceful demonstration, forming organizations, and holding foreign currency without permission." HRW published a report based on more than 100 interviews with eyewitnesses in Burma and Thailand detailing the 2007 events.
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The 24 political prisoners released Feb. 21 included pro-democracy activists detained for over a decade, members of Burma's opposition party the National League for Democracy, Buddhist monks, and a nun, according to the human rights monitor Amnesty International. However, "there are still more than 2,100 political prisoners behind bars in Myanmar," said Amnesty's Asia Pacific Deputy Director Donna Guest. "Many of them are in poor health, partly as a result of harsh prison conditions....While the release of these prisoners is welcome, the Myanmar government must release all other prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally."
In November 2008, about 70 activists were tried by unfair courts for their peaceful participation in large-scale pro-democracy protests in September 2007, after which hundreds of protesters were arrested, reports Human Rights Watch (HRW). HRW says the then-increased efforts to prosecute political activists "confirm that Burma's rulers are undermining basic freedoms more strongly than ever as they prepare for multi-party elections in 2010. Members of opposition parties and political activists have been sentenced under archaic laws that criminalize free expression, peaceful demonstration, forming organizations, and holding foreign currency without permission." HRW published a report based on more than 100 interviews with eyewitnesses in Burma and Thailand detailing the 2007 events.
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