Release of Thousands Begins in Burma

On Saturday, February 21, 2009 it was reported by my fellow teammate Sarah Popovich that over 6,000 prisoners were to be released. Just a few hours ago, the Washington Post as well as the Deutsche Welle have reported that the Burmese government has began to release the 6,300 prisoners. Of those prisoners being released less than 20 were political prisoners. "Zaw Myint Maung, who was elected to parliament in the annulled 1990 elections and was given a 20-year sentence in 1991", was on of the political prisoners released. Also a number of monks who had been imprisoned since 2003, for refusing to except funds from Gen. Khin Nyunt, Burma's prime minister at the time who was later fired and arrested in 2004.

The release comes shortly after the visit of two United Nations officials, Tomás Ojea Quintana, a special rapporteur on human rights and Ibrahim Gambari, secretary-general's special advisor on Burma. This was 'Quintana's second visit to Burma in six months, and he gave a bleak assessment of the situation',"The human rights situation in Myanmar is still challenging," he said after his visit, referring to the country by the name its military rulers prefer. "It's difficult to affirm that the human rights situation has improved." Gambari reported after meeting with political prisoner and National League for Democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyiz. "I told the government that now is the time to demonstrate Myanmar's commitment to addressing concretely the issues of concern to the international community - particularly the release of political prisoners and the resumption of dialogue between the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi."

There seems to be some progress being made with the release of these prisoners. Burma is schedule to hold elections next year, and that is where true progress shall be made.

Bayyina Black, Burma Group

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/function/0,,12215_cid_4047767,00.html
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-20-voa51.cfm