Myanmar’s generals say they have pardoned more than 2,000 political prisoners to mark Wesak, a major Buddhist holiday.
The Myanmar military has cracked down on its opponents with lethal force and detained thousands of people since seizing power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup in February 2021. The military often announces amnesties during major holidays. It freed more than 3,000 prisoners to mark the traditional New Year last month, but on that occasion did not specifically say that political prisoners would be among those released.
The latest amnesty came a day after Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited Myanmar and held talks with coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, becoming the most senior Chinese official to visit the country since the military seized power more than two years ago. The violence triggered by the coup has only escalated in recent months, with an armed resistance taking root in many parts of the country and the military resorting to air attacks that have killed civilians, including children.
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