Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RANGOON752
2008-09-24 08:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: SOME POLITICAL PRISONERS FREED IN AMNESTY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000752
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: SOME POLITICAL PRISONERS FREED IN AMNESTY
Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000752
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: SOME POLITICAL PRISONERS FREED IN AMNESTY
Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) On September 23, the Burmese government announced it
would release 9,002 prisoners as part of a general amnesty,
but did not reveal which prisoners or prisons would be
included. Our contacts confirm that at least seven political
prisoners have already been released, including prominent
journalist and long-time detainee Win Tin. Legal sources
point out that past amnesty programs normally released only
those with little time remaining on their sentences, and
predict this one will primarily involve minor habitual
criminals. There is much unconfirmed speculation as to the
reasons behind the amnesty, including rumors Than Shwe acted
on the advice of his astrologers. End Summary.
Seven activists confirmed released
--------------
2. (C) Opposition lawyers and NLD sources report that as at
least seven political prisoners, including prominent
journalist Win Tin, have been released as part of a general
amnesty announced by the regime on September 23. In addition
to Win Tin, we have confirmed that the following political
prisoners were released: MP-elect Dr. May Win Myint, MP-elect
Dr. Than Nyein, MP-elect Aung Soe Myint, Aung San Suu Kyi's
former assistant Win Htein, former NLD Central Executive
Committee member Khin Maung Swe, and NLD member Aye Thein.
Eyewitnesses told us that they have seen all seven outside of
prison, and that they appear to be in good health.
3. (U) Win Tin is among Burma's most prominent, and
longest-held, political prisoners. The 78-year-old
journalist has been in prison since 1989 and was due to be
released next year. He reportedly suffered two heart attacks
and was treated for high blood pressure while in prison.
Upon his release yesterday, Win Tin told the press that he
would "continue with the unfinished task of trying to achieve
democracy in Myanmar." UN Special Rapporteur for Human
Rights Ojea-Quintana met Win Tin during his visit in August.
Most on the list: presumably habitual criminals
-------------- --
4. (C) Our contacts in the legal community point out that
similar amnesty programs in the past normally released only
those with little time remaining on their sentences, and
rarely involved political prisoners. Despite the inclusion
of at least seven political prisoners, most legal observers
and opposition activists expect the vast majority of those
released this time will be habitual criminals.
Speculation about motives
--------------
5. (C) On September 23, the regime-mouthpiece New Light of
Myanmar newspaper announced the government would release
9,002 prisoners for the "social consideration of their
families" and to allow them to participate in the "fair
election to be held in 2010...after realizing the
government's loving kindness and goodwill." The announcement
did not, however, provide any additional information
regarding those to be freed or the reasons for their release.
There has been much speculation as to the reason for the
amnesty and choice of prisoners released. Some of our
contacts believe that the regime chose to announce the
amnesty and include political prisoners such as Win Tin to
curry favor during the UN General Assembly. Others speculate
the regime no longer sees Win Tin and the other prisoners as
a threat now that the constitution has been approved and
elections scheduled. Others relayed rumors that Than Shwe's
fortune tellers warned him he would die in 2009 and
encouraged him to release the inverted number of 9,002
prisoners to ward off bad omens.
Comment
RANGOON 00000752 002 OF 002
--------------
6. (C) It is not known whether this amnesty was a calculated
political move or a superstitious act based on the advice of
soothsayers. Whatever the reason, the public reaction has
been a mix of happiness for those released and cynicism
regarding the government's motives. We will try to track
what types of prisoners are released to get a better sense of
the amnesty, but the regime's motives in this case - as in so
many others - will likely remain opaque. End Comment.
DINGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: SOME POLITICAL PRISONERS FREED IN AMNESTY
Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) On September 23, the Burmese government announced it
would release 9,002 prisoners as part of a general amnesty,
but did not reveal which prisoners or prisons would be
included. Our contacts confirm that at least seven political
prisoners have already been released, including prominent
journalist and long-time detainee Win Tin. Legal sources
point out that past amnesty programs normally released only
those with little time remaining on their sentences, and
predict this one will primarily involve minor habitual
criminals. There is much unconfirmed speculation as to the
reasons behind the amnesty, including rumors Than Shwe acted
on the advice of his astrologers. End Summary.
Seven activists confirmed released
--------------
2. (C) Opposition lawyers and NLD sources report that as at
least seven political prisoners, including prominent
journalist Win Tin, have been released as part of a general
amnesty announced by the regime on September 23. In addition
to Win Tin, we have confirmed that the following political
prisoners were released: MP-elect Dr. May Win Myint, MP-elect
Dr. Than Nyein, MP-elect Aung Soe Myint, Aung San Suu Kyi's
former assistant Win Htein, former NLD Central Executive
Committee member Khin Maung Swe, and NLD member Aye Thein.
Eyewitnesses told us that they have seen all seven outside of
prison, and that they appear to be in good health.
3. (U) Win Tin is among Burma's most prominent, and
longest-held, political prisoners. The 78-year-old
journalist has been in prison since 1989 and was due to be
released next year. He reportedly suffered two heart attacks
and was treated for high blood pressure while in prison.
Upon his release yesterday, Win Tin told the press that he
would "continue with the unfinished task of trying to achieve
democracy in Myanmar." UN Special Rapporteur for Human
Rights Ojea-Quintana met Win Tin during his visit in August.
Most on the list: presumably habitual criminals
-------------- --
4. (C) Our contacts in the legal community point out that
similar amnesty programs in the past normally released only
those with little time remaining on their sentences, and
rarely involved political prisoners. Despite the inclusion
of at least seven political prisoners, most legal observers
and opposition activists expect the vast majority of those
released this time will be habitual criminals.
Speculation about motives
--------------
5. (C) On September 23, the regime-mouthpiece New Light of
Myanmar newspaper announced the government would release
9,002 prisoners for the "social consideration of their
families" and to allow them to participate in the "fair
election to be held in 2010...after realizing the
government's loving kindness and goodwill." The announcement
did not, however, provide any additional information
regarding those to be freed or the reasons for their release.
There has been much speculation as to the reason for the
amnesty and choice of prisoners released. Some of our
contacts believe that the regime chose to announce the
amnesty and include political prisoners such as Win Tin to
curry favor during the UN General Assembly. Others speculate
the regime no longer sees Win Tin and the other prisoners as
a threat now that the constitution has been approved and
elections scheduled. Others relayed rumors that Than Shwe's
fortune tellers warned him he would die in 2009 and
encouraged him to release the inverted number of 9,002
prisoners to ward off bad omens.
Comment
RANGOON 00000752 002 OF 002
--------------
6. (C) It is not known whether this amnesty was a calculated
political move or a superstitious act based on the advice of
soothsayers. Whatever the reason, the public reaction has
been a mix of happiness for those released and cynicism
regarding the government's motives. We will try to track
what types of prisoners are released to get a better sense of
the amnesty, but the regime's motives in this case - as in so
many others - will likely remain opaque. End Comment.
DINGER