Myanmar military government pardons more than 9,000 prisoners
Al JazeeraDEC 31 2023
Myanmar Pardons Thousands of Prisoners to Mark Independence Day
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The Spin
Narrative A
This is an act of benevolence toward thousands of prisoners on humanitarian grounds to mark the 76th Independence Day of Myanmar. With this move, the State Administration Council further stresses its willingness to promote public peace at home and friendly relations with other countries.
Narrative B
Make no mistake, this amnesty is merely a PR stunt to try to ease internal and international pressure. The vast majority of those freed are convicted drug criminals, not dissidents who have long been tortured. Out of the few political prisoners pardoned — none of which were high-profile figures — most had coincidentally nearly completed their terms.