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| Rights groups criticise extent of Burma prisoner releases | Rights groups criticise extent of Burma prisoner releases |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Burma began releasing 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. | |
| Activists said it was very disappointing and have accused the government of playing games. | Activists said it was very disappointing and have accused the government of playing games. |
| The government announced the move days before a visit to Burma by US President Barack Obama. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Past releases have included common criminals and prisoners of conscience. |
| 'Cynical' | 'Cynical' |
| The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Thailand-based campaign group, said that Thursday's releases were "the worst amnesty to date". | 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. | "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. | 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. | 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." | "They are lying to Obama about releasing political prisoners," he said. "They did not release political prisoners." |
| The government earlier said that the releases 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. | The move is the latest in a series of prisoner releases under the government of President Thein Sein. |
| Mr Obama's visit, the first by a serving US president, is intended to encourage continued government reform. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| The NLD rejoined the political process after boycotting the November 2010 polls and 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. |