Myanmar grants amnesty to over 7,000 convicted over ‘terrorist group’ support

YANGON – Myanmar’s military junta granted amnesty on March 2 to more than 7,000 prisoners convicted of financing or sheltering a “terrorist group”, a designation it has used to outlaw pro-democracy factions opposing its rule.

Thousands of dissenting civilians have been jailed since Myanmar’s military seized power in a 2021 coup, ending a decade-long experiment with democracy and detaining elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Pro-democracy activists backing Ms Suu Kyi and armed groups challenging the military in a civil war have been labelled “terrorist” outfits, with far-reaching laws punishing association with life imprisonment and possible death sentences.

A government notice said junta chief Min Aung Hlaing had ordered the release of more than 7,300 prisoners convicted under legislation banning the “financing of terrorism” and the harbouring or transport of “any terrorist group”.

It was not immediately clear which groups the prisoners had been convicted of associating with.

In recent months, the junta has announced pardons for some political offences in what analysts describe as a bid to soften its image amid a handover to a nominally civilian government after the general election in January.

With Ms Suu Kyi still jailed, her party dissolved and the dominant pro-military party securing a walkover win, critics have derided the transition as a publicity exercise to rebrand the junta’s rule.

Hundreds freed

An AFP journalist outside Yangon’s Insein Prison – Myanmar’s most infamous lock-up, known for alleged rights abuses – saw around 300 prisoners being bussed out of the compound in a convoy on the morning of March 2.

Emotional relatives clutched bouquets and placards bearing their loved ones’ names as prisoners were released from the jail shortly before noon.

General Min Aung Hlaing granted their release to mark a public holiday on March 2, “in consideration of the peace of mind of the general public as well as on humanitarian grounds”, the government statement said.

Nearly 12,500 people facing trial on the same “terrorism” charges will have their cases dropped, according to a separate statement.

The junta frequently grants prison amnesties on public holidays. Notices issued on March 2 also announced the release of more than 2,800 other prisoners and 10 jailed foreign nationals, without detailing their offences.

After ruling by force for more than five years, the military has said its phased month-long election will return power to the people and provide an opportunity to end the civil war.

The poll did not take place in swathes of the country controlled by rebel groups, and Gen Min Aung Hlaing has not ruled out serving as president.

The new Parliament is due to sit in two weeks, with a president expected to be elected in early April. AFP