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                  Myanmar Begins Releasing Political Prisoners

   by Marissa Melton

   Myanmar has begun releasing a number of political prisoners, as
   promised by ruling party leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday.

   Burmese language media said Friday Myanmar has released 69 student
   activists who were detained last year and awaiting trial.

   Families have been gathering at Myanmar's prisons since Aung San Suu
   Kyi's announcement. They are awaiting word of their loved ones, or
   perhaps even a reunion as the prisoners are freed.

   Detainees released
   Aung San Suu Kyi has promised to push for the release of political
   prisoners and student activists in the Southeast Asian country. She
   said amnesties would be granted as part of the celebration of the
   Buddhist new year, which occurs mid-April.

   The nonprofit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
   says Myanmar has some 500 political prisoners, either convicted or
   awaiting trial.

   In her first statement since assuming the role of state counselor, Aung
   San Suu Kyi, leader of the ruling National League for Democracy, said
   "I am going to try ... for the immediate release of political
   prisoners, political activists and students facing trial related to
   politics."

   Civilian-led government

   Lawmakers voted to establish the position of state counselor this week,
   a move that makes Aung San Suu Kyi the country's de facto top leader
   despite a prohibition on her serving as president of Myanmar, also
   known as Burma.

   Included in the new government in Myanmar sworn in last week are many
   democratic activists who spent years in jail under the former
   military-ruled government. Aung San Suu Kyi herself spent most of 15
   years under house arrest.

   Her National League of Democracy party came to power following a
   landslide November election that ushered in the country's first
   civilian-led government in more than five decades. But the military
   still remains a political force, holding 25 percent of all
   parliamentary seats.

   The democracy leader, who stated during the election campaign that she
   would hold a position "above the president" is also foreign minister
   and minister of the President's Office. Because her children are
   foreign nationals, Aung San Suu Kyi is constitutionally barred from
   being president. Her childhood friend Htin Kyaw holds that position.

   Zinlat Aung contributed to this report.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/myanmar-begins-releasing-political-prisoners/3276037.html