Military rulers in Myanmar may have come to their senses by releasing Win Tin, a popular freedom fghting journalist who has been detained for almost 20 years. Myanmar’s military Junta announced the release of about 9000 prisoners throughout the country as part of their amnesty program. It did not say how many of those released are political prisoners.
Win Tin, now 78 years old, is a political prisoner and is popularly known as a peace actvist in his country. He is a known ally of Aung San Suu Kyi and he helped in the establishment of National League for Democracy (NLD).
After his release from prison, Win Tin vowed to continue his advocacy and struggle for peace and freedom in his homeland. Win Tin has worked closely with Suu Kyi during the last open national election in Myanmar where the NLD won convincingly. Aung San Suu Kyi was expected to become the next Prime Minister of Myanmar but was never allowed to rule by the military junta. She was instead arrested without trial and has remained under house arrest until now.
The recent political events in Myanmar highlighted by the release of Win Tin together with thousands of other prisoners, could signal the relaxation of the military grip over the political enemies of the State. This is a good sign for all peace and freedom loving people of Myanmar.
Is Aung San Suu Kyi’s freedom at hand? The world awaits.