3,000 prisoners have been released which includes 24 political prisoners.
On the other hand, the state-controlled New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that 2,831 prisoners "whose moral behavior and spiritual values have improved and changed for the better" were released ahead of the 59th anniversary of Myanmar's independence from Britain.However, AAPP Joint Secretary Bo Kyi insists that the number of those released was "too small when it is compared with the number of people still in jails." There were some reports that a few more people were also released, but there was no confirmation, he added.
You can go here for a AAPP report on the conditions inside Burmese prisons.
Mizzima reports
that among those released were Than Htay, Member of parliament from Lashio in Northern Shan state, and famous writer Than win Hlaing, detained since June 2000.
Those this is great news it is a tactic used before by the junta to ease scrutiny and protest. It just so happens that this week the 88 generation students plan to start a new campaign deamanding political and economic reform, call "open heart".
NLD spokesman Nyan Win stated
"We welcome the release of prisoners but we are very disappointed that elderly, sick and long-term prisoners are not among those released today,"
With any hope further pressure will lead to more releases but most ears on the ground won't be expecting any miracles from the junta.
