Myanmar - May 2022

The military junta released 2,153 prisoners convicted under section 505A of the penal code, which it uses to suppress peaceful dissent in the country. The junta traditionally amnesties prisoners in line with national holidays, but data suggests that political prisoners make up only a small fraction of the total number of prisoners released. Post-release, amnestied prisoners are typically kept under surveillance and are at high risk of re-arrest.

Sources: The Diplomat, Human Rights Watch, Voice of America (1), Voice of America (2), Mizzima