Myanmar to free remaining political prisoners Tuesday

Myanmar Tuesday announced the release of all remaining political prisoners on the last day of 2013.

It said the move aims to ensure stability of the state and lasting peace, to build national reconsolidation and ensure all inclusiveness in the country’s political process, Xinhua reported.

The pardon covers only those being convicted and persecuted in cases under such laws as Unlawful Association Act cases, treason cases, sedition cases, the Law to Safeguard the State from the Danger of Subversive Elements cases, Peaceful Gathering and Peaceful Procession Law cases, Act of Harming Public Interest eases and Emergency Act cases, said an order of the President’s Office.

All convicted people shall be pardoned in connection with the said cases, the order said.

Under the president’s amnesty order, all remaining prisoners of conscience will be freed later Tuesday from prisons across the nation.

Myanmar last freed 41 remaining prisoners of conscience Dec 11 from prisons nationwide.

The number of the freed prisoners had added up to 29,861 as of Dec 11 since the new civilian government took office March 30, 2011.

  Myanmar, political prisoners