By John Quinley III
The revolving door of releases and convictions continues.
On January 22, the Myanmar government sent a contradictory message on its sentencing of political prisoners.
Naypyidaw released 52 political prisoners while on the same day sentencing Kachin activist Patrick Khum Jaa Lee to six months in jail for a Facebook post. The 52 political prisoners released from five prisons nationwide last week – including Myintkyina, Putaoo and Insein – were part of the 101 total prisoners released by the government.
The release of the political prisoners comes after recent pressure on the country’s current president Thein Sein by international governments and human rights groups. Following the announcement, some dismissed the amnesty as a cheap political move by Thein Sein before he leaves office – and a small one at that given the number.
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) based in Mae Sot, Thailand, stated that a “relatively small release of political prisoners demonstrate that the government continues to harbor resentment and animosity toward those that oppose them.” The group noted that 408 political prisoners are currently awaiting trial for political actions.
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