Myanmar to free almost 25,000 prisoners in largest amnesty in years

April 15, 2020By 0 comment

Originally published by Reuters on 15/04/2020

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Summary

Myanmar will free almost 25,000 prisoners in an amnesty to mark the traditional New Year, its largest mass pardon in recent years. The President said these prisoners would be freed unconditionally “to bring delights to the citizens of Myanmar and taking into consideration humanitarian concerns”. A spokesman for the prisons department said that the large number being released was not linked to concern about the coronavirus, and no details were given of the crimes that the prisoners were convicted of.

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Coronavirus Myanmar court releases scores of detained Rohingya Muslims

April 8, 2020By 0 comment

Originally published by Scroll.in on 08/04/2020

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Due to the coronavirus scare, a court in Myanmar on April 8th dropped cases against a number of Rohingya Muslims who were detained after they fled a military crackdown in 2017.Fears over a potential coronavirus outbreak in the Myanmar’s overcrowded prisons led to the release of 128 people.A statement from a judge notes that “[c]harges against both adults and children are withdrawn and they are to be released.” However, it is unclear where the Rohingya will be taken in the Rakhine state, posing a potential humanitarian catastrophe during the crisis. A Rohingya activist notes that about 250 people are likely to be released.

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Myanmar limits inmates’ visitors

March 29, 2020By 0 comment

Originally published by Min Wathan – Myanmar Times on 29/03/2020

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Summary

Jails in Myanmar are implementing a number of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Inmates at jails across Myanmar will be allowed only one visitor each during regular visiting days, whereas before prisoners were allowed three visitors. Additional steps include regularly conducting campaigns to teach prisoners how to prevent COVID-19 infection and regularly disinfecting cells. The director of the Prisons Department also noted that prison staff also practice proper hygiene before reporting for work, such as frequent handwashing, and that if they find suspected COVID-19 cases they promptly inform the health department and follow instructions.The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners urged the government to release some prisoners as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 because a reduction in the prisoner population is one of the important factors in preventing a virus outbreak. They suggested that courts should consider granting bail for the temporary liberty of the inmates while their cases are heard. Additionally, in some cases, they recommended that the government should consider granting amnesty to prisoners.

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