CNI News
19 Nov 2022
As the State Administration Council released some politicial prisoners on the National Day, Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi of the People's Party told the CNI that pardoning some political prisoners raised hopes for dialogue.
On the national day, which falls on 17th November, the SAC released 88 Generation Student Leader U Mya Aye, Central Executive Committee members Dr Myo Nyunt and U Thein Oo of the National League for Democracy, NLD Legal Consultant U Kyaw Hoe, former unioin minister for the office of the state counsellor U Kyaw Tint Swe, writer Maung Thar Cho and Shwenyawar Sayadaw from prison.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing
The SAC pardonned 5774 prisoners including Mr Sean Turnell, an economic advisor to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, former British Ambassador to Myanmar Vickey Bowmen and her husband.
As some politicians have been released, relevant political parties will be able to enhance capabilities, U Ko Ko Gyi told the CNI.
He said, " As an ordinary citizen, I am glad for everyone who were released because they could live together with their families. On the other hand, some politicians were released and their relevant parties will be able to enhance their capabilities. At the same time, we call for the release of other political prisoners as soon as possible. As long as there are political tensions, there will be political prisoners. As it reflects the serious political issues, I mainly hope that the country will be on the track of the political dialogue again."
The political prisoners who have been were those who should not have been arrested during the coup, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.
Prisoners pardoned by the SAC
He said, "They are pretending to show goodwill and magnanimity by releasing prisoners. It is just an attempt to salvage the image of the junta. They are trying to build a conducive environment to hold the general election by releasing some political prisoners. However, the prisoners were released on terms that they would serve remaining prison terms if they continued to oppose the junta. Their hands were tied and their mouths were forced to shut."
U Ko Ko Gyi said that the best way to reduce political tensions is releasing the political prisoners.
The SAC pardoned 5,774 prisoners including 712 political prisoners.
ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn welcomed the move, which is conducive to dialogue, on 17th November.
