Myanmar junta to free more than 7,000 prisoners under amnesty

Myanmar's military government will release 7,012 prisoners under an amnesty to mark the country's Independence day, state.The Southeast Asian country has faced international isolation and Western-led sanctions since the military seized power from a democratically elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi nearly two years ago. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech to mark Myanmar's 75th Independence day that, they want to thank some international and regional countries and organisations, and individuals who positively cooperated with the country.. in the midst of all the pressure, criticisms, and attacks. The state media MRTV on Wednesday aid the latest amnesty would not include those convicted of murder and rape, or jailed for charges related to explosives, unlawful association, weapons, drugs, natural disaster management and corruption. It was not immediately clear if any political detainees would be freed.
Myanmar has been in chaos since the army took power from Suu Kyi's government on the 1st of February, 2021, detaining her and other officials and responding to pro-democracy protests and dissent with brutal force, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Suu Kyi is being held in a jail in Naypyitaw in solitary confinement and the military insists she has received due process by an independent court. Authorities typically release some prisoners to mark the day when Myanmar declared independence from British rule. 

Still, the junta has maintained some international support. The U.N. Security Council remains split over how to deal with the Myanmar crisis, with China and Russia arguing against strong action. They also abstained from last month’s vote on a resolution, along with India. Thailand also hosted regional talks last month to discuss the crisis, including rare international appearances by junta ministers, even as several key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, vocal in their criticism of the junta, did not attend.