
YANGON – On January 4, Myanmar’s junta announced it would release nearly 6,000 prisoners as part of an annual amnesty to mark the country’s 77th Independence Day. The move comes amidst ongoing political turmoil following the military coup in February 2021, which ended Myanmar’s brief democratic period and led to widespread arrests of protesters and activists.
In a statement, the junta confirmed that over 5,800 prisoners, including 180 foreign nationals, would be freed. The nationalities and convictions of the foreign detainees, who are set to be deported upon release, were not disclosed. Additionally, 144 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment will have their terms reduced to 15 years.
The junta said the pardons were granted on “humanitarian and compassionate grounds.” Myanmar often marks significant holidays or Buddhist festivals with mass prisoner releases, with more than 9,000 prisoners released during last year’s Independence Day celebrations.
The Independence Day ceremony, held in the heavily fortified capital Naypyitaw, was attended by around 500 government and military officials. Although junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing did not attend, his speech was delivered by Deputy Army Chief Soe Win.
In the speech, the junta reiterated its call for ethnic minority armed groups to end their conflicts and pursue peace through dialogue. The military also renewed its promise to hold long-delayed democratic elections while calling for national unity.
Myanmar has been in crisis since the coup, with ongoing clashes between the junta and armed resistance groups across the country.