The Former Political Prisoners Group announced that the government has given them assurance to prioritize political prisoners who were sentenced for having connections with illegal organizations, in granting political amnesty.
The group's latest findings show that there are 122 political prisoners in Myanmar and most of them are charged with Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Association Act.
According to the group, the government said that it would discuss the matter of political prisoners charged under other Acts later.
"They told us that they would give top priority to political prisoners charged with Section 17 (1). We have petitioned the government to release all of them. But they told us not to give priority to political prisoners who were charged under other Acts," Thet Oo, a member of the group, told Mizzima.
"I think the government wants to handle the matter of Section 17 (1), first", he added.
The Former Political Prisoners Group said that they discussed prisoners charged with breaching Section 18 of the Peaceful Protest Law and the prisoners charged with inciting protest.
The group compiled a list of political prisoners in jail on August 31. The list includes names of people who were arrested for political issues and are currently facing charges for it.
"We cannot say if all political prisoners will be released this year. I do not think all of them will be released. Some prisoners whose names are in our list are not on their list. Differences exist," said The Oo.
The group said that most of the 122 political prisoners are incarcerated in the Insein Prison and Thayawaddy Prison. They are currently updating their list to include all political prisoners.
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/political-prisoners-charged-under-unlawful-association-top-priority/
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