348: Burmese prisoners released

A little sign of hope from Burma today, as the military junta released four political prisoners including the prolific U Win Tin, one of Aung San Suu Kyi's former advisers and a well known writer. As reported in today's linked article from news site Democratic Voice of Burma (based in Norway I believe), the prisoner release follows the junta's announcement of an amnesty that will, it says, allow opposition party members to prepare for elections scheduled for 2010. Up to 9002 prisoners may be released. So far, however, it seems that most of the freed prisoners are not 'political' but others released for 'good behaviour'. Nevertheless, the release of U Win Tin and other NLD members is encouraging, not least since U Win Tin says he will start campaigning again right away. After 19 years in prison, that kind of commitment and resilience is truly inspirational. (Photo from Voice of America.)