Myanmar to free 46 prisoners—state media

Myanmar prisoners leave Insein prison following their release in Yangon January last year. AFP

NAYPYIDAW—A total of 46 prisoners will be freed in Myanmar to aid “national reconciliation”, state media said Tuesday, amid growing calls for the release of the country’s remaining political detainees.

A report in the New Light of Myanmar said 37 men and nine women would be set free starting Tuesday, although it was unclear if any of the remaining political prisoners — estimated to be in the hundreds — were among them.

The decision was made “with a view to ensuring the stability of the State and making eternal peace, national reconciliation, enabling all to participate in political process,” the report said.

It came shortly after a Myanmar minister pledged further amnesties for jailed dissidents during a high profile European tour by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi last month.

Myanmar freed more than 300 political prisoners in January, a move which prompted the United States to pledge it would restore full diplomatic ties. About 200 others were let out in October 2011.