On Sunday, January 4, 2026, Myanmar's military government pardoned 6,134 prisoners to mark the 78th anniversary of the country's independence from Great Britain. The decree was issued by junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. This was reported by Associated Press, writes UNN.
Details
Among those pardoned are 52 foreigners who are to be immediately deported from the country after their release. For most other categories of prisoners, sentences were reduced by one-sixth, with the exception of those convicted of serious crimes: murder, rape, and drug offenses.
It remains unclear whether the amnesty included thousands of political prisoners detained after the 2021 coup. Human rights activists note that such releases are often conditional: if a former prisoner violates the law again (including participating in protests), they must serve not only a new term but also the remainder of the previous one.
Political context
The latest mass amnesty comes as the military government prepares for general elections scheduled for 2026. Critics of the regime and representatives of the opposition National Unity Government consider these steps an attempt by the junta to demonstrate humanity and legitimize its power in the eyes of the international community.
At the same time, armed confrontation continues in the country between the army and resistance forces. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 21,000 people remain in custody since the military seized power, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
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