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Burma to free hundreds of prisoners before Obama visit Rights groups criticise extent of Burma prisoner releases
(about 9 hours later)
Burma is releasing 452 prisoners under an amnesty, officials say, days before a visit by US President Barack Obama. Burma said it was freeing 452 prisoners under an amnesty on Thursday, but pressure groups and relatives say they have not yet heard of any political detainees being among those freed.
The release, which could include political detainees, is to "help promote goodwill and the bilateral relationship", state media report. Activists said it was very disappointing and have accused the government of playing games.
The move is the latest in a series of prisoner releases under the reformist government of President Thein Sein. The government announced the move days before a visit to Burma by US President Barack Obama.
Since the end of military rule in 2011, hundreds of dissidents have been freed.
But it is estimated that at least 300 are still in jail.
Correspondents point out that many political detainees are in remote areas where communications are difficult, so the full extent of the releases may not be known for some time.
Past releases have included common criminals and prisoners of conscience.
'Cynical'
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Thailand-based campaign group, said that Thursday's releases were "the worst amnesty to date".
Likewise the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) group and members of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) cast doubt over the latest amnesty.
"It seems there is a new game in Burma, which is the political prisoners game," said HRW deputy Asia director Phil Robertson.
He described the non-release of political prisoners as "cynical" and lacking in transparency.
Senior NLD representative Nie Nie accused the government of misinformation ahead of President Obama's visit.
"They are lying to Obama about releasing political prisoners," he said. "They did not release political prisoners."
The government earlier said that the releases, which could include political detainees, were intended to "help promote goodwill and the bilateral relationship".
The move is the latest in a series of prisoner releases under the government of President Thein Sein.
Mr Obama's visit, a first by a serving US president, is intended to encourage continued government reform.Mr Obama's visit, a first by a serving US president, is intended to encourage continued government reform.
It remains unclear, however, how many political prisoners will be freed this time. Rights groups believe that there are still at least 300 political prisoners in jail. The last amnesty in September saw the release of more than 500 prisoners, with the opposition saying that at least 58 political detainees were freed.
Some foreign nationals are also among those expected to be released in the amnesty, state media say.
An amnesty in September saw the release of more than 500 prisoners, with the opposition saying that at least 58 political detainees were freed.
Continuing impunity
The nominally-civilian government led by Thein Sein has undertaken a series of reforms since the end of military rule in elections in November 2010.The nominally-civilian government led by Thein Sein has undertaken a series of reforms since the end of military rule in elections in November 2010.
These include freeing hundreds of prisoners, including political detainees, and introducing more press freedom. Western sanctions against Burma have been loosened in response. These include freeing hundreds of prisoners, including political detainees and introducing more press freedom. Western sanctions against Burma have been loosened in response.
Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy party - having rejoined the political process after boycotting the November 2010 polls - overwhelmingly swept parliamentary by-elections earlier this year. The NLD rejoined the political process after boycotting the November 2010 polls and overwhelmingly swept parliamentary by-elections earlier this year.
However, critics question Mr Obama's decision to make Burma one of his first destinations after re-election, saying it is too soon to reward the government for reforms which have just started, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says.However, critics question Mr Obama's decision to make Burma one of his first destinations after re-election, saying it is too soon to reward the government for reforms which have just started, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says.
They argue that the repeated promises by Thein Sein that he will stick to the reformist path will only be credible when all political prisoners have been freed, our correspondent adds.
Dozens more people have been detained this year during various protests, and the Burmese military still acts with impunity in border areas where it is fighting ethnic insurgents, says our correspondent.
On her visit to India this week, Ms Suu Kyi sounded a note of caution over the reform process, saying Burma had "not yet achieved the goal of democracy".