Guwahati: The release of some political prisoners on 18 October, who
actually should have not been arrested in the first place, by the
ruling military junta of Myanmar (also known as Burma or Brahmadesh)
was nothing but a public relations exercise to improve its image in
the backdrop of ASEAN’s decision to exclude them from the forthcoming
summits.
“It follows a similar tactic of previous Myanmar military regimes.
That over 110 were rearrested almost immediately, that arrests and
violence continued at a peaceful protest in Mandalay on the same day
as the so-called ‘amnesty,’ and the militarisation of Chin, Sagaing,
Magway regions in preparation for a major military offensive, are
reflective of the junta’s tricks, stated Progressive Voice.
In its latest newsletter, Progressive Voice, an umbrella organisation
of Burmese civil society organizations and political parties,
commented that the junta led by Min Aung Hlaing claimed to release
around 5,600 people from various jails. They are among 9,000
individuals, who were picked up by the military personnel for
protesting against the military coup on 1 February 2021 that ousted
the democratically elected government in Naypietaw.
“Diplomatic pressure from ASEAN surrounding the non-invitation of Min
Aung Hlaing to their summits means that there is increased
international scrutiny on their violence and brutality. Yet, despite
the joy of being free again for some people, the immediate rearrest of
at least 110 people is a cruel, heartless act that is designed to
weaken the mental resolve and inflict psychological torture on people
who were peacefully resisting an illegitimate and violent coup,” added
the newsletter.
“Moreover, those released were warned not to participate in any
anti-coup activities and would be forced to serve the rest of their
sentences if rearrested. On the same day while those people were
released, the junta was cracking down violently on a peaceful protest
in Mandalay. Soldiers, some in plainclothes, drove into the
protesters, before attacking them with their rifle butts, injuring 20
people and arresting a few others,” said Khin Ohmar of Progressive
Voice.
The rainy season, which typically provides a respite to military
offensives due to washed out roads, landslides, and difficult to
traverse terrain, is coming to an end and all the indications based on
ground movements are that the citizens will be hit the hardest in
military attacks. The security personnel are burning down houses,
destroying churches, and displacing people along the roads as convoys
troops are sent to the area.
“Hence, the release of some political prisoners should not be viewed
as anything other than a cynical attempt to distract ASEAN and other
actors in the international community from the realities of the
junta’s brutality,” asserted the umbrella body adding that until all
political prisoners are immediately and unconditionally released,
stopped all ongoing attacks, and issued a public apology, the latest
amnesty should be regarded as insincere and manipulative.
