Burma’s government on Monday pardoned more than 500 prisoners, among them political detainees and some foreigners. An official announcement described the move as an effort to “bring tranquillity and perpetual peace” to the country. The move comes a week before Burmese President Thein Sein is set to travel to the United States to attend the […]
Burma Pardons 500 Political Prisoners
Posted September 17th, 2012 at 4:05 pm (UTC-5)
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Burma Frees 20 Political Prisoners in General Amnesty
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
Burma has freed more than 20 political prisoners as part of a general amnesty the government says is aimed at promoting national reconciliation. Burmese rights activists said the dissidents were among a group of 46 prisoners granted amnesties by President Thein Sein on Tuesday. State media said the government freed an additional 34 foreign prisoners […]
Burma Frees 20 Political Prisoners in General Amnesty
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 6:00 am (UTC-5)
Burma has freed at least 20 political prisoners as part of a general amnesty the government says is aimed at promoting “national unity.” The state-run New Light of Myanmar says 46 prisoners were released Tuesday, under an order by President Thein Sein. It also says 34 foreign prisoners were deported. Activists say among those released […]
Burma Frees 46 Prisoners: State Media
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
Burmese state media say 46 prisoners have been freed as part of a general amnesty aimed at promoting “national unity.” The state-run New Light of Myanmar says 37 men and nine women were freed Tuesday, under an order by President Thein Sein. It also says 34 foreign prisoners were deported. But, it does not mention […]
Burmese Exile Group: ‘Business as Usual’ for Political Prisoners
Posted March 6th, 2012 at 5:25 am (UTC-5)
A leading Burmese exile group says the country’s military-backed government appears to be conducting “business as usual” when it comes to political prisoners, despite its release of hundreds of prisoners of conscience earlier this year. The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners Burma said Tuesday that hundreds of political prisoners “remain locked up and subject […]
1,000 Kyrgyz Inmates Sew Lips in Protest
Posted January 27th, 2012 at 2:10 pm (UTC-5)
Prison officials in Kyrgyzstan say more than 1,000 inmates have sewn their mouths shut to protest living conditions in prison. Journalists who have been permitted into Detention Center Number 1, show images of prisoners with their mouths stitched with wire so that only liquid can come in. The prisoners have been protesting since January, when […]
Kyrgyz Prisoners Sew Mouths Shut in Protest
Posted January 24th, 2012 at 2:45 pm (UTC-5)
Officials in Kyrgyzstan say more than 400 inmates have sewn their lips shut to protest living conditions in prison. Authorities said Tuesday prisoners in at least two jails in the Central Asian country are taking part in the protest and are refusing to take food. Inmates in Kyrgyz prisons have staged uprisings and hunger strikes […]
Cambodian FM Proposes Prisoner Swap with Thailand
Posted December 29th, 2011 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
Cambodia says it would consider repatriating two Thai nationalists jailed on espionage charges, if the Thai government requests and agrees to a prisoner swap. Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong made the offer public Thursday at a joint news conference in Phnom Penh with his Thai counterpart Surapong Tovichakchaikul. “I told Mr. Surapong that if (the) […]
Italy Releases Jailed Prisoners Early to Save Money
Posted December 15th, 2011 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
Italy’s new Justice Minister has announced plans to free thousands of prisoners from jail this week in an attempt to ease overcrowding and save the cash-strapped country millions of dollars. Paola Severino’s plan would release some 3,300 prisoner with 18 months or less to serve on their sentences. The released prisoners with serve the remainder […]
Burma Frees 200 Dissidents, Rights Groups Say Not Enough
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 5:00 pm (UTC-5)
Burma’s main opposition group says the government has freed about 200 jailed dissidents in its latest gesture of political reform, but rights groups say it it not enough. The 200 are among the more than 6,000 inmates from around the country who are being freed on what the Burmese government calls humanitarian grounds. The most […]
