The military government of Myanmar released 5,864 prisoners on Saturday. The mass amnesty was to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the country’s independence from British colonial rule.

The terms of this amnesty stipulate that any released prisoners who re-offend will be required to serve the remainder of their original sentences and face new penalties. This amnesty also includes the release of 180 foreign nationals, who will be deported upon their release. Furthermore, 144 inmates serving life sentences had their sentences commuted to 15 years, while other prisoners will see their sentences reduced by one-sixth.

Despite the scale of this release, this reduction benefited little to dissenters. Among the political prisoners who remained detained is former State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi. She was house arrested by the military government after the coup in February 2021 that ousted the democratically elected government she led. Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted of corruption and violations of natural disaster management and communication laws, followed by 27 years of imprisonment after a partial pardon. The coup also sparked widespread protests and a civil disobedience movement that has since escalated into armed conflict across the country, leading to the arrests of over 25,000 individuals on political charges, with around 20,000 still imprisoned.

Historically, Myanmar’s practice of granting amnesty during significant national events can be traced back to its colonial past. Critics argue that mass releases fall short of addressing the systemic issues of political repression and human rights violations prevalent in Myanmar. Accordingly, amnesties only serve as a means to project a façade of humanitarianism while reinforcing its authority amid ongoing civil unrest.