Myanmar’s military government announced the release of approximately 6,000 prisoners and a reduction in sentences for others as part of a mass amnesty to mark the 77th anniversary of its independence from Britain. However, there was no indication that Aung San Suu Kyi, 79, currently serving a 27-year sentence after politically motivated trials, would be among those released on mass amnesty. She has been detained incommunicado since the military seized power in 2021.
It also remained unclear if any of the thousands of political prisoners detained for opposing the military coup would be freed. According to state broadcaster MRTV, the amnesty includes 5,864 prisoners, of whom 180 are foreigners slated for deportation. Reuters and AFP clarified that the foreigners are part of the total figure.
Among those potentially released are four Thai fishermen arrested in November near the Andaman Sea border. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed confidence that they would be freed on independence day. Released prisoners were warned that re-offending would result in serving the remainder of their original sentences along with any new penalties.
Mass amnesties are a regular practice during national holidays in Myanmar. Last year, over 9,000 prisoners were released to mark independence day. This year, MRTV reported that 144 life sentences had been reduced to 15 years, while most other prisoners received a one-sixth sentence reduction. Exceptions include individuals convicted under laws frequently used to suppress dissent, such as the Explosive Substances Act, the Unlawful Associations Act, the Arms Act, and the counter-terrorism law.
While many prisoners held under charges related to anti-regime protests, such as Section 505(A) of Myanmar’s penal code, are expected to be released, the government has not disclosed specific details. In Yangon’s Insein prison, notorious for housing political detainees, families gathered early to await news of their loved ones. Releases began Saturday but could take days to complete.
Since the military coup in 2021, resistance against the junta has evolved from mass nonviolent protests to armed conflict. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group, reported that 28,096 individuals have been detained on political charges, with 21,499 still in custody as of Friday. Additionally, at least 6,106 civilians have been killed by security forces during this period.
Myanmar, a British colony in the late 19th century, regained independence on January 4, 1948. Saturday’s independence day ceremony in Naypyidaw was attended by around 500 officials and military personnel. In a speech delivered by Deputy Army Chief Soe Win on behalf of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, ethnic minority armed groups were urged to abandon armed resistance and pursue peaceful political resolutions.
