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The sentences of 23,314 Myanmar prisoners and 55 foreign prisoners are being forwarded as massive protests against the coup continue.
Myanmar granted amnesty to more than 23,000 prisoners on Friday, and the coup leader Major General Min Aung Hlaing called on people to “join” the army for democracy, but despite that, thousands of people have demonstrated to demand the return of the civil administration.
The prisoners ‘release comes on Union Day, which is observed to mark the country’s unification, but supporters of the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi defied the military rulers’ call to stop the mass rallies as protests entered the Seventh day.
“I seriously urge the entire nation to join the Tatmadaw for the successful realization of democracy,” said Min Aung Hlaing using the local term for the army.
“Historical lessons have taught us that only national unity can guarantee the non-disintegration of the Union and the perpetuation of sovereignty.”
The announcement said that sentences for Myanmar’s prisoners were being remitted while the country “is establishing a new democratic state with peace, development and discipline to turn the prisoners into certain decent citizens, to please the public and create the humanitarian and compassionate foundation. “.
The sentences of 23,314 Myanmar prisoners and 55 foreign prisoners were forwarded, according to reports.
Protests in various cities
On Friday, at least six shots were fired as police tried to disperse a protest against the military in the city of Mawlamyine, video images posted on Facebook showed.
Meanwhile, the security forces carried out another series of arrests during the night, and among those detained was at least one doctor who had participated in a growing campaign of civil disobedience.
Protesters on Friday urged Washington to toughen sanctions imposed on Myanmar’s ruling generals to force the army to release Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.
The US sanctions target 10 current and former military officers held responsible for the coup, including Min Aung Hlaing. He also blacklisted three gem and jade companies that he said were owned or controlled by the military.
In the largest city, Rangoon, hundreds of doctors in white coats and gowns marched past the golden Shwe Dagon pagoda, the country’s holiest Buddhist site, while in another part of the city, soccer fans in Chinese uniforms The team marched with humorous posters denouncing the military.
In the coastal city of Dawei, the streets were filled with protesters making fierce speeches, many holding red flags with peacocks, a national symbol of pride and resistance.
Thousands of people also gathered in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state, in the far north, with young men playing rap music and organizing a dance.
In the capital of Naypyidaw, protesters covered their heads with sheets and dressed up as ghosts with sunglasses in the blazing sun. One carried a sign that read: “Not all ghosts are scary. But the Burmese police are more terrifying. “
When Washington announced the sanctions, members of the European Union Parliament on Thursday called on their countries for action and the UK said it was considering measures to punish the coup leaders. The United Nations human rights council will discuss the issue later on Friday.
Social media giant Facebook said it would reduce the visibility of content managed by Myanmar’s military, saying they had “continued to spread misinformation” after taking power in the February 1 coup.
Fifteen years in prison
The military launched the coup after what it said was widespread fraud in the Nov. 8 elections, although the election commission has said the vote was free and fair. The National League for Democracy, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Aung San Suu Kyi, won the election overwhelmingly.
The 75-year-old leader came to power for the first time after a historic election victory in 2015. She now faces charges of illegally importing six walkie-talkie radios and has not been seen in public since the coup.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent nearly 15 years under house arrest under previous military governments, remains very popular at home despite damage to her international reputation from the plight of Myanmar’s Rohingya minority.
The generals promised to stick to the 2008 constitution and hand over power after the elections, but said on Friday they would “work for the emergence of a constitution that is aligned and in harmony with the Federal Democratic Union.”
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