- Myanmar will pardon 7,012 prisoners for independence day.
- The junta ousted Aung Sang Suu Kyi’s government almost two years ago.
- Myanmar has been subject to Western-driven sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
The military government of Myanmar would pardon 7,012 convicts in honor of the nation’s independence day, according to reports.
The junta leader also thanked several nations for continuing to assist his country.
Since the military overthrew a democratically elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi almost two years ago, the Southeast Asian nation has been subject to Western-driven sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
“I want to say thank you to some international and regional countries and organizations and individuals who positively cooperated with us… in the midst of all the pressure, criticisms and attacks,” Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech to mark Myanmar’s 75th independence day.
“We are closely working with neighboring countries such as China, India, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh. We will work together for border stability and development,” Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech at a parade in the capital Naypyitaw, complete with flag-waving civil servants, marching soldiers, tanks and a fly-past by military jets.
Street demonstrations are now uncommon following bloody crackdowns, but the military engages in almost daily clashes with ethnic minorities, and fear has spread throughout large portions of the nation as members of a so-called People’s Defense Force have risen to arms in an effort to restore democracy.
Suu Kyi was recently sentenced to seven more years in prison after being found guilty on five charges of corruption.
This verdict brought to an end a protracted legal battle that was widely viewed as a charade and aimed at neutralizing the largest danger to the junta’s control at home.
Suu Kyi is being kept in solitary confinement in a Naypyitaw jail, although the military maintains that she has been given a fair trial by an impartial tribunal.
On the anniversary of Myanmar’s declaration of independence from British domination, the authorities customarily free a small number of inmates.
According to MRTV, the most recent amnesty would not apply to anybody who had been convicted of murder and rape or had been imprisoned due to allegations involving explosives, illegal associations, firearms, drugs, managing natural disasters, or corruption.
If any political prisoners would be released was not immediately apparent.
Sanctions have been placed on Myanmar’s military and those thought to have assisted the junta in gaining power by the United States, the European Union, as well as nations like Britain and Canada.
A second reprimand came last month when the UN Security Council passed its first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years, calling for a stop to the bloodshed and the release of all political prisoners held by the government.
Min Aung Hlaing criticized “disruptions from countries and organizations who wish to intervene in Myanmar’s domestic affairs,” in reference to external pressure.
The junta has continued to receive some support from outside. China and Russia continue to argue against taking decisive action, causing the UN Security Council to remain divided over how to handle the Myanmar problem.
Along with India, they did not participate in the resolution vote from last month.
Last month, Thailand also hosted regional talks to tackle the problem, including rare overseas appearances by junta ministers despite the absence of several important ASEAN members who have been loud in their criticism of the junta.
Myanmar’s generals have been excluded from ASEAN‘s high-profile conferences because they have broken their agreements to begin negotiations with opponents associated with Suu Kyi’s overthrown administration. ASEAN is leading diplomatic efforts for peace.
[embedpost slug=”myanmar-junta-chief-calls-for-peace-talks-with-ethnic-rebels/”]
