Reuters - UN Envoy Hails Myanmar Releases

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Reuters - UN Envoy Hails Myanmar Releases

UN Envoy Hails Myanmar Releases
Fri Mar 1,10:28 AM ET
By Patrick Chalmers

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The U.N. special envoy to Myanmar on Friday hailed the Yangon government's recent large-scale release of political prisoners and hoped opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi leader would also be given more freedom.

 

"That's a very welcome decision indeed," Malaysian diplomat Razali Ismail told Reuters by telephone from Kuala Lumpur.

 

"The fact that they released people in big numbers is a change from the earlier releases, which were a handful of people," he added.

 

"I hope in the weeks ahead there will be more releases and I hope soon that Aung San Suu Kyi herself will be out of the custody of her house," he said.

 

Suu Kyi, who leads the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), has been placed under virtual house arrest by the military since September 2000.

 

Razali was speaking after Myanmar authorities announced the freeing of five more political prisoners, a day after they let out and granted amnesty to 68 women who were in prison for "various criminal activities."

 

Razali said he had heard a further four political prisoners were released on Friday.

 

Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi has been prevented from organizing nationally since it shocked the military with landslide victory in Myanmar's last democratic elections in 1990.

 

But it was never allowed to rule after the win.

 

According to NLD Secretary U Lwin, there are still about 800 NLD members in prison.

 

Razali said Myanmar authorities' amnesty for political prisoners, rather than their simple release, was a positive sign.

 

"It's very encouraging because it's done under the umbrella of an amnesty. It adds to the impetus of national reconciliation," he said.

 

"The U.N. doesn't want to contest how or why these people have been put into custody or detained -- that's something that the authorities themselves have determined," he added.

 

The European Union and the United States have aid and trade sanctions against Myanmar, citing Yangon's human rights record, failure to cooperate on fighting drugs, and political repression.

 

Washington said last month it would consider lifting sanctions on Myanmar's military junta in return for what it called "significant progress" in talks with democracy leader Suu Kyi, including her release from house arrest.