No more political prisoners in Myanmar?
| Yangon, Myanmar
No more political prisoners in Myanmar?
That鈥檚 what President Thein Sein is promising the world, by the end of the year.
His reformist government made a downpayment on his vow by releasing 73 prisoners on Tuesday, just after a trip to Europe that included a visit to 10 Downing Street to meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
But critics, including former prisoners who did time for their political activities, argue there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical. For one thing, people are still being locked up on grounds that they consider political, such as for recent protests against a Chinese-run copper mine in northwestern Myanmar.
The government鈥檚 prisoner releases, which have occurred periodically since the transition from military to civilian rule began in 2011, also appear politically timed and motivated, they say, always coming right before or after a big meeting with an American or European leader.
鈥淭his is great news, but we have doubts,鈥� says Thiha Win Tin, who was imprisoned聽for political activities surrounding the antigovernment 鈥淪affron Revolution of 2007 and served three years of a five-year sentence before being released in one of Thein Sein鈥檚 initial amnesties in 2011. 鈥淪ometimes they play a political trick for international image.鈥�
The 20-something is a member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, formerly an underground organization that advocates for a general, and immediate, amnesty.
Still, it鈥檚 improvement from two years ago, when Thein Sein denied the very existence of political prisoners.
The state-run English language newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar, said Wednesday that the prisoner amnesty was granted 鈥渨ith the aim of placing emphasis on humanitarian grounds and encouraging them to be able to serve the national interest after understanding the goodwill of the State.鈥�
It also helped change the subject, for the moment. United Nations Chief Ban Ki-moon, who earlier this month criticized the Myanmar government for not doing enough to stem anti-Muslim violence, cheered Tuesday鈥檚 announcement. 鈥淗e hopes that these and other measures undertaken recently in the country鈥檚 transition to democracy will further strengthen efforts toward a comprehensive nationwide cease-fire and national reconciliation in Myanmar,鈥� said a spokesperson.
The prisoner issue is a continuing obstacle in the relationship between the United States and Myanmar. The European Union has eliminated most sanctions on the former pariah state. But even though the US government has eased restrictions, the existence of political prisoners is one key factor that has prevented President Obama and the US Congress from fully abolishing them.
It鈥檚 notoriously difficult to determine how many such prisoners remain in Myanmar鈥檚 jails, given the still-opaque nature of the government. Estimates range from just over 100 to several hundred.
In part it goes to the definition of 鈥減olitical prisoner.鈥� Some say it should include only 鈥減risoners of conscience鈥� jailed for peaceful political activities. Other say it should encompass the many jailed members of ethnic militias in Myanmar鈥檚 long-contested border areas, and rural villagers who may have unwittingly been caught up political disputes.
