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Burma says hundreds of prisoners to be freed from today Burma begins releasing prisoners amid high hopes
(40 minutes later)
Burmese authorities say hundreds of prisoners will be freed from today, in the latest of a series of releases. Burma has begun releasing more prisoners, amid expectations that a number of prominent dissidents could be among them.
State television said a total of 651 prisoners would be freed under a new presidential pardon. State television announced on Thursday that a total of 651 prisoners would be freed under a new presidential pardon.
It did not say how many would be political prisoners, but Burma has faced calls from the international community to free more dissidents.It did not say how many would be political prisoners, but Burma has faced calls from the international community to free more dissidents.
Unconfirmed reports suggest relatives and colleagues of key figures believe they will be freed. Two key activists and a former PM are already known to have been freed.
There is also growing expectation among pro-democracy activists and Western diplomats that many high-profile political detainees could be released, says the BBC's South East Asia correspondent Rachel Harvey. A veteran member of Burma's 88 Generation Students, Nilar Thein, has confirmed to the BBC that she has been freed from Tharya Wadi prison.
The move comes a day after the government signed a landmark ceasefire with a rebel group. The activist served eight years in prison after the 1988 demonstrations and was jailed again in 2007 for 65 years for illegally using electronic media.
The ceasefire was agreed at talks with the Karen National Union (KNU) in Hpa-an, capital of eastern Karen state. The Karen have fought for greater autonomy for more than 60 years. She said she had been released along with 10 other political prisoners but that 25 more remained in prison.
Reports suggest her husband, Kyaw Min Yu, known as Ko Jimmy, has also been freed, as well as Htay Kywe, a student activist also jailed in 2007 for 65 years.
The brother in law of former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt has confirmed to the BBC that he has been released from house arrest. He has been under detention since 2004.
Other unconfirmed reports suggest more student leaders of Burma's 1988 uprising and monks who led anti-government protests in 2007 could be released.
The party of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the move was a "positive sign".
"We welcome the release. Some [dissidents] are on their way home already," AFP news agency quoted a spokesman as saying, without further details.
Reform processReform process
Burma's new government has freed a number of political prisoners since embarking on a process of reform.Burma's new government has freed a number of political prisoners since embarking on a process of reform.
The military-backed civilian government came to power in November 2010, after the country's first elections in 20 years. Before that Burma was governed by a military junta.The military-backed civilian government came to power in November 2010, after the country's first elections in 20 years. Before that Burma was governed by a military junta.
It has freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and entered into dialogue with her and her National League for Democracy party. Ms Suu Kyi is now expected to stand for parliament in a by-election in April.It has freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and entered into dialogue with her and her National League for Democracy party. Ms Suu Kyi is now expected to stand for parliament in a by-election in April.
Western nations have welcomed the reform process but called on the government to release political prisoners and resolve ethnic conflicts in border regions before sanctions can be eased.Western nations have welcomed the reform process but called on the government to release political prisoners and resolve ethnic conflicts in border regions before sanctions can be eased.
No official tally of the number of political prisoners is available but opposition groups within Burma say between 600 and 1,000 remain in custody.No official tally of the number of political prisoners is available but opposition groups within Burma say between 600 and 1,000 remain in custody.
They include leaders of the 1988 protests, monks who led anti-government demonstrations in 2007, journalists and lawyers. Hopes of a significant release were raised on Thursday when the announcement said detainees would be freed so they could help in the task of nation building.
The releases come a day after the government signed a landmark ceasefire with a rebel group.
The ceasefire was agreed at talks with the Karen National Union (KNU) in Hpa-an, capital of eastern Karen state. The Karen have fought for greater autonomy for more than 60 years.