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Burma starts release of prisoners | Burma starts release of prisoners |
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The authorities in Burma have begun releasing prisoners including political detainees as part of an amnesty. | The authorities in Burma have begun releasing prisoners including political detainees as part of an amnesty. |
A popular comedian and dissident, Zarganar, was among the first to be freed under the long-awaited measure. | A popular comedian and dissident, Zarganar, was among the first to be freed under the long-awaited measure. |
He was arrested in 2008 after publicly criticising the response to Cyclone Nargis, which killed more than 140,000 people in Burma. | He was arrested in 2008 after publicly criticising the response to Cyclone Nargis, which killed more than 140,000 people in Burma. |
The government says more than 6,000 will be freed but it is unclear how many will be political detainees. | The government says more than 6,000 will be freed but it is unclear how many will be political detainees. |
Only a few dozen were freed under a previous amnesty in May. | Only a few dozen were freed under a previous amnesty in May. |
On Monday the US said if Burma showed concrete progress on issues like political prisoners, it would respond. | On Monday the US said if Burma showed concrete progress on issues like political prisoners, it would respond. |
"We will match their steps with comparable steps," said diplomat Kurt Campbell. | "We will match their steps with comparable steps," said diplomat Kurt Campbell. |
Western nations currently impose sanctions on Burma, and one of the key reasons is political prisoners. | Western nations currently impose sanctions on Burma, and one of the key reasons is political prisoners. |
Thought to number more than 2,000, they include journalists, pro-democracy activists, government critics, monks involved in anti-government protests in 2007 and members of Burma's ethnic groups fighting for greater autonomy. | Thought to number more than 2,000, they include journalists, pro-democracy activists, government critics, monks involved in anti-government protests in 2007 and members of Burma's ethnic groups fighting for greater autonomy. |
'Nation-building' | 'Nation-building' |
Burma announced an amnesty of 15,000 prisoners in May 2011 and freed more than 7,000 in 2009 - but those moves were criticised by rights groups for failing to include political prisoners. | Burma announced an amnesty of 15,000 prisoners in May 2011 and freed more than 7,000 in 2009 - but those moves were criticised by rights groups for failing to include political prisoners. |
On Monday's Burma's new human rights commission called on the president to release "prisoners of conscience". | On Monday's Burma's new human rights commission called on the president to release "prisoners of conscience". |
In an letter published in state media, the commission said those who did not "pose a threat to the stability of state" should be freed to help with nation-building. | In an letter published in state media, the commission said those who did not "pose a threat to the stability of state" should be freed to help with nation-building. |
The commission of scholars and former bureaucrats was only set up last month, as part of a series of moves by the government to improve Burma's international reputation. | The commission of scholars and former bureaucrats was only set up last month, as part of a series of moves by the government to improve Burma's international reputation. |
Burma held its first elections in two decades almost a year ago - polls which saw military rule replaced with a military-backed civilian-led government. | Burma held its first elections in two decades almost a year ago - polls which saw military rule replaced with a military-backed civilian-led government. |
Since then the government has freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and held dialogue with her. | Since then the government has freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and held dialogue with her. |
But Nyan Win, a spokesman for Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, told the BBC that a prisoner release was not all that was needed. | But Nyan Win, a spokesman for Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, told the BBC that a prisoner release was not all that was needed. |
"The release of political prisoners is just one of the barometers of the government's seriousness about a change to democracy," he said. | "The release of political prisoners is just one of the barometers of the government's seriousness about a change to democracy," he said. |
"There should be other developments like media freedom, and the relaxation of censorship among other things." | "There should be other developments like media freedom, and the relaxation of censorship among other things." |
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