YANGON: Myanmar’s government on Tuesday began releasing another 73 political prisoners and more could be freed in coming months, days after President Thein Sein promised during a recent trip to Europe to free all by the end of the year.
However, activists have accused the government of only releasing political prisoners in small batches and usually for public relations purposes.
According to Human rights groups, peaceful protesters continue to be arrested and convicted.
President Thein Sein, a former general now heading a quasi-civilian government, promised in a speech in Britain last week to free all those still in prison by the end of this year.
“A total of 73 political prisoners are being released from various detention centres today,” Hla Maung Shwe, a member of the Committee to Scrutinise Remaining Political Prisoners, said.
“The total number of remaining political prisoners has now dropped to lower than 100 for the first time in many years.”
