Myanmar reduces Aung San Suu Kyis prison sentence by 20 years

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing has granted two amnesties this month, reducing sentences for prisoners by one-sixth. According to a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team, this measure will further reduce her sentence. The announcement comes on the eve of a public holiday, as stated in a presidential office release.

In January, Min Aung Hlaing had previously granted an amnesty to 4,335 prisoners, reducing their sentences by a similar amount. This month’s measure applies to all prisoners, with Suu Kyi’s sentence being reduced accordingly. The 80-year-old leader has been serving a 33-year sentence since her imprisonment in 2021, following the military coup that toppled her democratically elected government.

Suu Kyi is currently serving a 27-year sentence, which will now be approximately 18 years, according to her legal team. Despite being held almost completely incommunicado, Suu Kyi remains popular in Myanmar. Her family has expressed concerns about her deteriorating health.

The military’s main party claimed victory in the January general election, with an overwhelming majority in both legislative chambers. The National League for Democracy was dissolved along with dozens of other parties, and some others declined to participate. Critics have condemned the process as designed to legitimize military rule.

In his inauguration address earlier this month, Min Aung Hlaing stated that Myanmar has returned to the path of democracy and is heading towards a better future. However, the United Nations human rights office has noted that large segments of the population, including minorities, were excluded from voting due to citizenship issues and displacement outside the country.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 30,000 people have been imprisoned on political charges since the 2021 coup.

Source: Al Jazeera