Myanmar: President pardons 8500 prisoners in Thingyan amnesty

Event

President Win Myint has granted amnesty to more than 8500 prisoners, including at least three dozen political prisoners. The amnesty coincided with Myanmar's traditional New Year holiday Thingyan, a Buddhist celebration observed over a period of four to five days. The amnesty was granted to 8490 Burmese citizens and 51 foreign nationals. Over 6000 of them had been incarcerated on drug-related charges, and nearly 2000 were members of security forces jailed under the Military Act or the Police Disciplinary Act.

Context

Hundreds of political prisoners have been released from Myanmar's jails via amnesties in recent years, including in April 2016 days after Nobel laureate Suu Kyi's party took power following nearly 50 years of military rule.

Advice

As a reminder, foreign nationals traveling to Myanmar need to be in possession of a passport valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into the country, and need to obtain a visa ahead of travel from a Burmese embassy or consulate.