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High-profile dissidents freed in Burma amnesty | High-profile dissidents freed in Burma amnesty |
(40 minutes later) | |
Several high-profile dissidents have been set free in Burma in the latest in a series of prisoner amnesties. | |
Those freed included Min Ko Naing, who was one of the leaders of a failed pro-democracy uprising in 1988. | |
Former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, who was detained in a purge in 2004, has also been freed from house arrest. | |
State TV had announced that 651 prisoners would be freed under a new presidential pardon, but did not say how many would be political prisoners. | |
Burma has faced calls from the international community to free more dissidents. | |
The BBC's South East Asia correspondent Rachel Harvey says given the stature of those set free, this could be the most significant breakthrough yet in Burma's moves towards reform. | |
'Positive sign' | 'Positive sign' |
Min Ko Naing was considered by many to be the most high-profile political dissident still to be behind bars. | |
A crowd greeted him as he emerged from prison in Thayet, 545 km (345 miles) north of Rangoon, AP reports. | |
Another veteran member of Burma's 88 Generation Students, Nilar Thein, confirmed to the BBC that she had been freed from Tharya Wadi prison. | |
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 activist served eight years in prison after the 1988 demonstrations and was jailed again in 2007 for 65 years for illegally using electronic media. |
"I'm healthy and happy to be released and happy to see my baby. I was released today along with nine other political prisoners in Tharya Wadi prison but there are still 25 more left inside," she told the BBC. | |
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. | 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. |
U Khun Tun Oo, the most senior political representative of the Shan, the largest of Burma's ethnic minorities, has also been freed. | U Khun Tun Oo, the most senior political representative of the Shan, the largest of Burma's ethnic minorities, has also been freed. |
The party of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the move was a "positive sign". | 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. | |
Reform process | Reform 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 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 prior to Friday's releases opposition groups estimated that between 600 and 1,000 remained in custody. | |
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. | 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 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. | 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. |