During Myanmar's traditional New Year Sunday celebration on April 17, newly-elected President Htin Kyaw pardoned 83 political prisoners, advancing the new civil administration's efforts to rid the country of remnants of over fifty years of military rule. The release of the political prisoners marks the democratic change being established in Myanmar.
Among the political prisoners released were four journalists. A Unity Journal newspaper executive was also pardoned after being sentenced to 10 years of hard labor in 2014 for running a story on an alleged military chemical weapons factory in the country, a senior prison department official told Reuters.
Since taking power on April 1, the National League for Democracy (NLD), fostered by renowned democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi, has dropped charges against 282 people accused of political crimes under the former military government.
Business Standard reported that the presidential pardon was granted "to make people happy" and at the same time promote reconciliation and peace within the once-chaotic nation.
The release of political prisoners who still stand to face trial was a promise stressed out by President Htin Kyaw in his New Year speech on Sunday, Rappler reported.
Cabinet member and state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, although barred from presidency by a charter implement during the junta period, is guiding the NLD towards establishing a democratic government.
Local media covered the reunion scenes that took place outside jails across the country. The pardoned detainees left prison carrying small bags and were joined by their loved ones.
The NLD seized power after winning the historic November 1 elections that displaced the quasi-civilian government led by military generals. The quasi-civilian government replaced the long-running junta in 2011, during which hundreds of political detainees were also released. However, the military still controlled key government offices that oversaw local governance, defense and internal security.
