VIDEO – To Release All Political Prisoners

Irrawaddy – “On the ground of humanitarian [sic] and out of consideration for the families of inmates, the President granted an amnesty in accordance with Section 204 (b) of the State Constitution for those who are serving prison terms for the crimes they committed before 17 May 2011…” Thein Sein’s order declared, according to state media.

The order commuted death sentences to life sentences and reduced other sentences by one year. It did not directly address the fate of political prisoners.

As a result of the amnesty program, 14,600 prisoners were released on Tuesday, but only 34 of them were political prisoners, according to reports from Rangoon.