Myanmar Anti-junta Protesters Reunited With Families In Junta Amnesty
Umer Jamshaid Published October 19, 2021 | 03:00 PM
Yangon, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Oct, 2021 ) :Newly released anti-coup protesters in Myanmar were reunited with their families outside a Yangon prison Tuesday in tearful scenes on the second day of a junta amnesty as international pressure mounts on the regime.
The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since a coup in February, with more than 1,100 civilians killed in a bloody crackdown on dissent and more than 8,000 arrested, according to a local monitoring group.
On Monday, the military said it would free more than 5,000 people to mark the three-day Buddhist Thadingyut festival, sending anxious families rushing to prisons, joyful at the prospect of reunions after months apart.
"I've missed you so much," a mother wept over her newly released son, as he cradled his young child. "I'm so proud of you." She was among hundreds who had gathered again Tuesday morning outside the colonial-era Insein prison in Yangon, some carrying flowers and placards bearing the Names of their relatives.
Buses pulled out, with former detainees inside giving the thumbs up gesture through the windows to the cheering crowd, some of whom flashed the three-fingered salute -- a sign adopted by the democracy movement.
Than Toe Aung Was -- imprisoned for around six months -- was greeted by his jubilant sister outside.
"I would not say why I was arrested," he said, urging people to "move forward for the future".
"I'm happy for my release. But I will have to try for those who are not released," he added, flashing the crowd a three-fingered salute.
Meanwhile, Nwet Nwet San said he was hoping his son, a soldier who had run away from the army, would be freed.
"He's been in prison for eight months," he told AFP, adding that although he had heard it was mostly protesters being released, others would be set free too.
"That's why I'm waiting.
" The amnesty was "a tactical response to a pretty hostile domestic and international environment," Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group told AFP.
"These kinds of cynical moves may have worked 20 years ago... but it will do nothing to improve the standing of this regime." Myanmar authorities released more than 2,000 anti-coup protesters from prisons across the country in June, including journalists critical of the military government.
Those still in custody include the American journalist Danny Fenster, who has been held since being arrested on May 24.
The amnesty over Thadingyut comes with the military under increasing pressure to engage with its opponents, nearly nine months after seizing power.
On Friday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) decided to exclude junta leader Min Aung Hlaing from an upcoming summit of the 10-country bloc over doubts about his commitment to defusing the bloody crisis.
Often criticised as toothless, ASEAN took a stand after the government rebuffed requests for a special envoy to meet "all stakeholders" in Myanmar -- a phrase seen to include ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The coup snuffed out the country's short-lived experiment with democracy and the 76-year-old Suu Kyi now faces a raft of charges in a junta court that could see her jailed for decades.
Last week, her chief lawyer said he had been banned by the military from speaking to journalists, diplomats or international organisations.
The other lawyers on her legal team also face a similar ban -- effectively muzzling the key sources of information on court proceedings, from which journalists are barred.
Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, who has spent much of her life resisting Myanmar's generals, is scheduled to testify in court for the first time later this month.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago