Statement
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Opinion Statement on the Presidential Amnesty of the Burmese New Year
April 18th, 2019 •
Author:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
•
2 minute read
On Burmese New Year, April 17, 2019, 9535 local prisoners from different prisons were released under the order of the president’s amnesty. Moreover, a statement noted that presidential amnesty for prisoners will continue to be scrutinized.
Since overcrowding in Burmese Prisons is keeping population capacity over its limits, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) welcomes the presidential amnesty. Many of those released had sentences related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic charges. AAPP reiterates for the government to reduce and scrutinize the sentences of prisoners who have been convicted in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic charges, because these prisoners make up 50 percent of Burmese Prisons’ population.
Nonetheless, we are disappointed because two out of 46 political prisoners serving prison sentences were released. In addition, there are 90 awaiting trial inside prisons and 228 are awaiting trial outside prisons due to their political, democratic and human rights movements. One factor, is that a country who has political prisoners inhibits democracy and national reconciliation.
While the government is diligently working for national reconciliation and peace, AAPP strongly urges the government to scrutinize and release political prisoners who are being arrested, detained, charged and imprisoned due to their political movements. This would greatly support the peaceful coexistence of all people in the Union.
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)
Bo Kyi Joint Secretary +95(0)942530 8840
View this original statement HERE.
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