Myanmar frees hundreds of political prisoners after pressure from Asean, but rearrests some

Hundreds of political prisoners have been freed from the notorious Insein prison, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s party spokesman and a famous comedian

Some activists described the release as a ploy to rebuild Myanmar’s international reputation after its junta chief was excluded from an Asean summit

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Former detainees of Insein Prison celebrate their release on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:48pm, 19 Oct 2021Updated: 11:24pm, 19 Oct 2021

Myanmar’s military government has freed hundreds of political prisoners from the notorious Insein prison, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s party spokesman and a famous comedian Zarganar, local media reported.

Minutes after military ruler Min Aung Hlaing’s speech on Monday, state television announced more than 5,600 people arrested or wanted over their roles in anti-coup protests would be freed in an amnesty on humanitarian grounds.

The release was described by some activists as a ploy by the ruling military to try to rebuild its international reputation after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations took the rare step of excluding the junta chief from its summit.

UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews on Twitter welcomed the release but said it was “outrageous” that they were detained in the first place.

“The junta is releasing political prisoners in Myanmar not because of a change of heart, but because of pressure,” he said.

The junta has released prisoners several times since the February coup.

Asean decided to invite a non-political representative to its October 26-28 summit, in an unprecedented snub to the military leaders behind the coup against Suu Kyi’s elected government.

Soon after local media began late on Monday documenting the release of parliamentarians, journalists and others from Yangon’s Insein prison and facilities in Mandalay, Lashio, Meiktila and Myeik, reports followed of rearrests.