Burma to free prisoners; activists sceptical

Karen Percy

Last Updated: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:56:00 +1000

Burmese pro-democracy activists are sceptical about plans by the military junta to release political prisoners ahead of next year's elections

Following a visit to last week from United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki Moon, Burma's representative to the international body has told the Security Council the generals will grant amnesty to some political prisoners.

Good sign

Mr Ban says the announcement is a good sign but he will continue to pressure Burma's military government to allow free and fair elections.

"This is encouraging, but I will have to continue to follow up how they will implement all the issues raised during my visit in Myanmar," he said.

No details

No details have been released about when that might happen, how many prisoners will be freed, and whether democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi could be among them.

Several thousand political prisoners are said to be locked up across the country.

Democracy activists living inside and outside Burma have been highly sceptical of the announcement.

As evidence, they note past prisoner releases have failed to include senior political leaders, and the current trial against Ms Suu Kyi.