Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Burmese military junta’s recent amnesty for prisoners, including a few political prisoners, was welcomed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday, who said it was the ‘First Step’ towards the release of more political prisoners and the implementation of democracy.

“This is the time for Myanmar [Burma] to seize the opportunity before it, to send positive signals,” Ban Ki-moon said.

However, the world body leader urged Burma’s military government to continue releasing the rest of the estimated 2000 political prisoners, including pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

He also urged for a resumption of dialogue, between the Government and the opposition, “without delay and without preconditions”.

Burma, on Saturday, began releasing prisoners across the country as part of an amnesty granted to 6,313 prisoners, who the government said had displayed good conduct.

Opposition sources said, 24 political prisoners, who were nearing the completion of their original prison terms, were among those released.

The UN Secretary General’s statement came on Monday following a meeting with his Group of Friends on Myanmar, which includes neighbouring countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other concerned States.

“We have unity of support. But, at the same time I would like to see some unity of approach among members. This is what we are now continuing to consult with the countries concerned,” explained Ban Ki-moon with regard to further discussions with the Group of Friends.

Last week, Ban Ki-moon’s special adviser on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, briefed the 15-member UN Security Council, where he said he still awaited a ‘tangible outcome’ of his latest visit to military-ruled Burma.

Gambari recently visited Burma from January 31 to February 3, and was able to meet the Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein, and detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as five members of the central executive committee of her party – the National League for Democracy.

However, junta supreme Snr. Gen Than Shwe refused to meet the visiting envoy.