The amnesty was announced on Friday as Myanmar celebrates the 74th anniversary of Union Day.
"While the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is establishing a new democratic State with peace, development and disciplines, to turn the prisoners into certain decent citizens, to please the public and to create the humanitarian and compassionate grounds, the State Administration Council, as per Section 204 (a) of the State Constitution, has issued an amnesty order for the punishments received before 4th Waning of Pyatho 1382 ME (31 January 2021) for any offence", the order published by the newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar said.
A police truck sprays water to a crowd of protesters in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021.
© AP Photo
The document was signed by the Chairman of the State Administration Council Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. In line with the decree, 23,314 prisoners will be released.
The document is being released after a coup in Myanmar on 1 February. The armed forces arrested senior members of the newly-elected parliament right before it was due to convene for its inaugural session. The military declared a state of emergency for one year, pledging to hold a new election after it expires. Following the takeover, Myanmar faced a wave of protests in support of the overthrown authorities.
