Skip to content
October 10, 2025
Trending Tags
wordpress humanrights justice activism climatechange socialjustice democracy Crackdown

Rights To All

  • news
  • United Nations
  • health
  • Arms
  • Free Speech
  • Women’s Rights
  • Torture
  • support us

Breaking News

The Rise of Social Media: A Game-Changer in Turkish Politics

Uganda’s Labor Rights: Upholding the Treaty to Ensure Workplace Protection

Landmark Treaty to Deliver Justice to Victims of Atrocities Agreed by Global States

“Towards a Plastic Revolution: The First Step Towards Reducing Production”

Why NY Governor Must Take a Stand Against Tropical Deforestation

Israel/OPT: The Urgent Need to Rescind the Appalling Gaza “Evacuation Order”

The Path to Stability: A Closer Look at Regularization and Protection of Venezuelan Nationals in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile

The Pylos Tragedy: A Stark Reminder of the Urgency for Safe and Legal Routes to Europe

US Plan to Transfer Cluster Munitions to Ukraine: Undermining International Efforts towards Safeguarding Civilians

“UN Ocean Treaty: A Critical Step Towards Protecting Our Blue Planet – Greenpeace Weighs In”

 
  • Home
  • 2023
  • May
  • 9
  • Myanmar’s Partial Prisoner Release Leaves Political Dissidents Behind
  • United Nations

Myanmar’s Partial Prisoner Release Leaves Political Dissidents Behind

On 2 years Ago
Samantha Chen
Myanmar Releases Prisoners Convicted Under Oppressive Laws, But the Junta’s Policies Remain Unchanged

The announcement by Myanmar’s military junta on Wednesday, May 4 of the release of 2,153 prisoners was met with a sense of relief by the families of the released prisoners. However, the oppressive polices of the junta, including the use of sweeping laws to suppress peaceful dissent, remain unchanged.

Section 505A of the Penal Code of Myanmar criminalizes any criticism of the junta, making it punishable by up to three years imprisonment. It has been frequently used by the junta to arrest, convict, and detain political activists who opposed them since the February 2021 coup. The junta’s release of prisoners convicted under section 505A, amongst others, has been based on “humanitarian grounds” and “for the peace of mind of people” ahead of a Buddhist holiday, according to the junta.

There is no clear indication as to how many of the released prisoners are political prisoners, but Amnesty International suggests that the junta’s latest amnesty may be an attempt to gain credibility and deflate international pressure ahead of an important meeting of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). However, it is important to note that the junta is still refusing to recognize the detentions of its political prisoners as being unlawful, and they continue to use amnesties as tools to gain legitimacy.

Historically, Myanmar has used Buddhist holidays to grant amnesties to prisoners, including political prisoners. However, many monitors have noted that political prisoners make up only a fraction of those released during such amnesties, thereby contradicting the junta’s assertion that their latest amnesty is for “humanitarian” reasons.

The international community and ASEAN foreign ministers should not be lulled into a false sense of confidence by the junta’s latest amnesty, and should instead press for the release of all political prisoners, an end to abuses against the junta’s critics, and the return of Myanmar to civilian democratic rule. The junta must stop using oppressive laws to silence and detain peaceful critics and should respect the rights of its citizens to free speech.

In conclusion, the junta’s release of 2,153 prisoners, including some convicted under oppressive laws, is a step in the right direction. However, the relatively small number of political prisoners released indicates that the junta’s policies and practices remain unchanged. The attention of the international community and ASEAN should remain focused on pressing the junta to respect human rights and restore democracy to the beleaguered country.

Prisoners, Myanmar, Dissent-Myanmar,prisonerrelease,politicaldissidents


Myanmar
<< photo by Ron Lach >>

You might want to read !

  • Examining the Vital Role of Journalism in Upholding Human Rights: A Look at the 2023 Human Rights Press Award Winners
In United NationsIn Myanmar , politicaldissidents , prisonerrelease

Post navigation

Examining the Vital Role of Journalism in Upholding Human Rights: A Look at the 2023 Human Rights Press Award Winners
Burkina Faso Army Implicated in Karma Massacre

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

You May Like

  • United Nations
Liu David
On 2 years Ago

Progress and Challenges: The Continued Fight Against Cluster Munitions

  • United Nations
Samantha Chen
On 2 years Ago

Release Detained Critics: Tanzania’s Violation of Basic Rights and Democracy

  • United Nations
Patel Maya
On 2 years Ago

Burundi Government’s Defiant Move: Walking Out on UN Review

  • United Nations
Patel Maya
On 2 years Ago

Assault on Cambodian Opposition Activist Shakes Thailand’s Democratic Stability

  • United Nations
Liu David
On 2 years Ago

“Spyware Inquiry in EU: Towards Enhanced Regulation of Surveillance”

  • United Nations
Samantha Chen
On 2 years Ago

Senegal’s Opposition Party Dissolved and Internet Shutdown: A Backlash to Democracy?

Rights To All @ Copyright All right reserved