The release of political prisoners, who could number as many as 1,700, is a pre-condition for ending Burma's isolation by the international community. The issue was raised repeatedly by William Hague, the British foreign secretary, during a visit to Burma last week and by Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, during her visit in December.
Burmese state radio and television have said the prisoners are being released so they can participate in nation-building. A ceasefire signed on Thursday between Burmese authorities and rebels in the east of the country marked another significant step towards reform. The three conditions laid out by western governments before sanctions imposed by the European Union and the US on Burma will be lifted are free elections, the release of all political prisoners and peace with the dozens of ethnic groups that have been fighting authorities intermittently for decades. 2012.01;13 The Guardian - prisoner-release-begins
Opening the gates of the prisons today for these people indicates the government has confidence in national reconciliation and is moving towards a more democratic society. But more challenges lie ahead. Burma needs judiciary system, reform of the suffocating bureaucratic system and serious attention to infrastructure and the struggling health and education systems. There appears to be a tacit understanding for the opposition to stay off the streets. No demonstrations are in the offing. But a lot will depend on whether changes seep through to the grassroots. Certainly the atmosphere on the streets of Rangoon this week was one of more openness with discussion of politics no longer a taboo. Important changes are needed in the country’s budget in sectors like health and education, meaningful change to bureaucratic mechanisms, local administrations, and the judiciary. If this happens in a relatively short period of time, the popularity of the Thein Sein government’s moves will remain and a sense of forgiveness of the previous regime may be realized. If this fails to happen, there may be mass protests with the focus on the environment, land confiscation, corruption, and possibly over the continued armed confrontation in ethnic areas, if tension still exists. 2012.01.13 Mizizma - the-road-to-reform
Television images showed large groups of family members and supporters greeting prisoners as they emerged from detention. Friday’s release appeared to advance recent steps by the government to move toward national reconciliation and improve relations with the outside world 2012.01.13 The News York Times -myanmar-frees-political-prisoners
There is debate over how many political prisoners are actually being held in Myanmar, with sizable differences between the government’s figures and those put forward by some opposition groups. “The ‘quality’ of this release thus far is high, but ultimately it is the quantity that counts. While we welcome the release of such prominent peaceful activists, we urge the authorities to release all remaining prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally.” 2012.01.13 Amnesty International -political-prisoner-release
The release of key political prisoners on January 13, 2012 is a crucial development in promoting respect for human rights in Burma, but all remaining political prisoners should be freed immediately and unconditionally, 2012.01.13 Huma Rights Watch