MYANMAR: Amnesty for 56 combatants at peace talks resumption
At the beginning of October, peace talks resumption between the government and the armed Kachin rebels made Myanmar's President, Thein Sein, announce a new amnesty to 56 political prisoners, most of whom members the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and the Army of the State of Shan, groups that are involved in the peace talks. UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, has hailed the release of these 56 political prisoners, but laments the continued detention of non violent or armed actors. Since 2011, 1,020 opponents have been released, while around 1,000 remain imprisoned. (Europa Press, 08/10/13, Europa Press, Jurist, 10/10/13, IRIN News, 24/10/13)