Burma’s Committee for Scrutinizing Remaining Prisoners of Conscience is to submit a list recommending the release of 82 political prisoners and charges dropped against more than 200 persons who were detained under Section 18 – the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, according to state-run media.
The New Light of Myanmar on Sunday quoted committee member Ye Aung, himself a former political prisoner, as saying the committee is “trying hard” to secure the release of the prisoners before the end of this year.
“A list containing 82 remaining political prisoners and more than 200 who were charged under Section 18 will be submitted to the government,” he is quoted as saying at Myanmar Peace Center in Rangoon on Sunday. Focus is being placed not only on political prisoners but also on those charged under Section 18 and imprisoned for many years,”
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Another committee member, Bo Kyi of Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, reportedly said about 265 persons had been charged under Section 18, but said there may be more that the committee is unaware of.
On 15 November, 69 prisoners of conscience were released, including prominent anti-mine activist Naw Ohn Hla.
