Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - The President of Myanmar, Thein Sein, has granted amnesty to about 6,300 detainees, and some of them are political prisoners or of conscience: this is what Fides learned from sources in Myanmar. The step taken by the government has been hailed as "a positive signal of openness", but underlines a priest in Myanmar contacted by Fides, "they are mostly elderly and sick prisoners, or in prison for common crimes. About ten political prisoners and of conscience have been freed, including activists and monks. The government holds about 2,000 in prison and is careful not to give all of them freedom, because they would make an active campaign for democracy". According to some sources, the political prisoners who have been released are over 100. The most important political prisoners are detained in structures away from the main city of the country, Yangon, to also make the possibility of contacts with other activists and lawyers difficult.
The move, note the source of Fides, "serves mainly to show a new face of the country to the international community". On the domestic side, however, "why does the war against ethnic minorities come to an end, after the works on the dam on the Irrawaddy have been blocked?" asks the priest.
According to the internal maneuver of the regime, it was the new "National Commission for Human Rights" to ask, in an open letter to President Thein Sein, to grant amnesty, as a gesture of magnanimity. The network of students for democracy "Buayda", contacted by Fides, however, has welcomed the decision, asking for the release of those detained only for reasons of conscience, religion or political beliefs. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/10/2011)
