NLD announces political prisoner release ahead of Thingyan

NLD announces political prisoner release ahead of Thingyan



NAYPYITAW: -- The Myanmar government will bypass the military-controlled National Defence and Security Council to free political prisoners and activists on trial for political offences “as soon as possible”, The Myanmar Times reported.

NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi announced the amnesty in a statement – issued in her new role as state counsellor – following the government’s first cabinet meeting Thursday afternoon.

She said the release was a “priority” for the new administration of President Htin Kyaw.

The statement said the release would include student activists on trial for demonstrating against the National Education Law.

No date was given for the planned amnesty.

A government source close to the NLD leadership said that the process of releasing all political prisoners could be lengthy and difficult, and would be “impossible” before Thingyan, the water festival, which begins on April 11.

U Ko Ni, a High Court lawyer and legal adviser to the NLD, said the government could proceed quickly with the release because it does not need to get approval from the military-controlled National Defence and Security Council.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/158734


-- Thai PBS 2016-04-08