Myanmar holds on to its political prisoners

Aung San Suu Kyi's betrayal

If you cheered with optimism when Aung San Suu Kyi assumed office in 2016, you had every reason to do so. The Burmese politician had spent years in detention and had become an icon of the human rights movement. It felt like the blooming of a new era for Myanmar... Alas! The blossoms withered on the boughs and the political situation there seems no better than before. It is worse, perhaps, as the regime carries on regardless, buffered by this figure of respectability who is fast morphing from a symbol of hope to one of betrayal.  

In September 2017, fellow Nobel laureate, retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu, wrote her a touching and prodding letter. "If the political price of your ascension to the highest office in Myanmar is your silence," he said, "the price is surely too steep." Other rebukes, such as the revoking of some of her honours, were equally ineffective.

Myanmar holding on to its political prisoners

As part of the Burmese New Year celebrations, 9,535 prisoners were set free today. Freeing prisoners is a routine way of easing the problem of overcrowded jails. Many of those released were convicted of drug offences. Only two were political prisoners and they had already been behind bars for almost two decades! Hundreds of political prisoners are still locked up, including the two Reuters journalists who have been in custody since December 2017. 

"Give us Barabbas!"

Some people found it ironic that Notre Dame de Paris should burn down in Easter week, with the alleged crown of thorns having to be saved from the flames. This, I believe is even more so. The "notorious criminal" Barabbas was freed instead of Jesus. And now it seems Myanmar would be happy to free anyone, as long as it does not include seekers of justice.