Myanmar’s NUG grants New Year’s amnesty to 169 prisoners

The publicly mandated National Unity Government (NUG) announced on New Year’s Day that it would free 169 men and women detained on criminal charges throughout the territories under its control. The ministry office of NUG acting president Duwa Lashi La, which issued the announcement, said the amnesty was in the interests of the Spring Revolution and that its purpose was to emphasise humanitarian concerns and bring the people peace. The amnesty will release 169 prisoners from the NUG’s custody without conditions, according to the public statement, which also indicated that the shadow government would shorten the remaining sentences of other current prisoners by one third. The NUG is a cabinet of ministers formed and endorsed by deposed civilian leaders in 2021 to oppose the military coup in Myanmar. Its ministry of defence commands the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), an armed wing of resistance fighters operating across the country. “This is the first time. These are minor cases with potential sentences of two or three years. They are for minor offenses, and some have been open for around six months,” said Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the NUG prime minister’s office. “It’s merely releasing those who qualify when we shorten two-year prison terms for those who have already served six months,” he added. Nay Phone Latt also emphasised the prisoners granted freedom were not people who had committed serious offences against the public’s safety or interests. “These are mainly cases of people charged with common assault, drug use, theft, and non-CDM people who haven't committed serious crimes,” he said, referring to workers who opted not to join strikes organised by the Civil Disobedience Movement against the coup regime. There are reportedly no prisoners of war among the detainees to be released. When asked how many prisoners of war are currently being held by the NUG and its armed wing—the People’s Defence Forces—Nay Phone Latt did not give an answer. Another NUG-connected source said that the costs and challenges of providing adequate conditions and food for prisoners have created a substantial burden for the shadow government, which was a likely factor in the decision to grant the amnesty. By deploying the PDF, the NUG has secured control over parts of Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing regions, with strongholds concentrated in rural areas in the latter two regions.

Myanmar’s NUG grants New Year’s amnesty to 169 prisoners

A source close to the shadow government said the decision to release detainees was likely due in part to the cost of feeding and providing for them

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