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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 82335, member: 636"]
Junta throws a bone with prisoner pardon during ongoing crisis. Myanmar's military ruler freed over six thousand inmates and some foreign nationals. This happened on the country's independence anniversary, calling it a humanitarian gesture. About six hundred were jailed under a law banning speech that alarms the public.

The pardon included dozens of foreigners, mostly Thais, arrested for gambling. It remains unknown if detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released. Her supporters view her many convictions as purely political. The government often grants amnesty around holidays, with a stern warning for recidivism.

This move comes amid severe unrest since the military seized power. A deputy prime minister used the event to urge rebels to disarm. He called for political issues to be solved through peaceful discussion instead.

International human rights groups slammed the gesture as a hollow publicity stunt. One director called planned elections a sham bid for global legitimacy. She said, recognizing the polls reject any hope for real democracy there.

A U.S. Secretary of State issued a statement on the same day. He pressed the regime to stop violence and allow humanitarian aid. The statement also demanded the release of all unjustly detained people and meaningful dialogue to end the conflict.
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