A leading human rights group claims that almost 100 people are behind bars in Myanmar, in the run-up to the nation’s general elections, Nov. 8. In a press brief entitled, ‘Back to the old ways’ issued on Oct. 8, Amnesty International noted how repression has drastically picked up pace over the past two years, in stark contrast to official claims that not a single person is imprisoned for peacefully exercising their rights. The London-based rights watchdog believes there are at least 91 prisoners of conscience currently behind bars in Myanmar, although the actual number is likely to be higher. This represents a dramatic increase since a wide-ranging presidential pardon at the end of 2013 when Amnesty International was aware of just two prisoners of conscience.
“Authorities have intensified a chilling crackdown on freedom of expression over the past year,” said Laura Haigh, Amnesty International’s Myanmar Researcher. “The numbers speak for themselves – we believe that almost 100 peaceful activists are currently detained, while hundreds more are facing charges,” she said. “President Thein Sein must immediately free all prisoners of conscience and put an end to the repressive practices that fuel arbitrary arrests,” Haigh demanded.
Amnesty International has also documented a marked surge in repression as Myanmar’s general elections, scheduled for 8 November 2015, have drawn closer. Peaceful activists have been more often charged with offences without bail and kept in pre-trial detention for extended periods, while prison sentences have become longer. (Source: Amnesty International)
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