Particle.news
Download on the App Store
8 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Myanmar Pardons 4,893 Prisoners for New Year Amid Political and Humanitarian Crises

The mass amnesty excludes most political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi, as the junta faces civil war and earthquake recovery challenges.

A released prisoner, center, is welcomed by family members outside the main gate of Insein prison as the head of Myanmar’s military government granted amnesty to thousands of prisoners to mark the country's traditional New Year Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
Relatives gather around a bus carrying prisoners being released from prison to commemorate the Buddhist New Year in Yangon
Image
Image

Overview

  • Senior General Min Aung Hlaing announced the release of 4,893 prisoners as part of Myanmar's Thingyan New Year festival, along with 13 foreign nationals slated for deportation.
  • The amnesty explicitly excludes individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, and violations under security laws, with no confirmation of significant political detainee releases.
  • Independent watchdogs confirmed at least 22 political prisoners were freed, although prominent figures like Aung San Suu Kyi remain incarcerated.
  • The announcement comes as Myanmar recovers from a devastating March 28 earthquake that killed over 3,700 people and caused widespread destruction in the central region.
  • In a New Year speech, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated plans to hold elections by the end of 2025 and urged opposition groups to resolve conflicts through political means.