Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) says it welcomes the release of 53 political prisoners as part of a mass amnesty announced by the Myanmar military to mark Myanmar’s national day.
’88 student leader Ko Mya Aye, NLD spokesperson Dr. Myo Nyunt, writer Maung Tha Cho, monk Shwe Nyawa Sayadaw and ex-NLD minister U Kyaw Tint Swe were among those freed.
Attacks to press freedom and democracy continue to escalate in Myanmar, with two prominent writers and a student activist sentenced under an amendment to the Myanmar’s Penal code. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemn the junta’s continued censorship and quashing of critical reportage and calls on the international community to do more to protect the livelihoods and safety of journalists in Myanmar.
Anti-junta writers Maung Tha Cho and Htin Lin Oo (Wisdom Villa) were given two-year and three-year prison sentences respectively by the Insein Prison Court on 22 February, according to a prison source.