Myanmar Prisoner Amnesty 2025: Thousands Freed During Thingyan New Year

Myanmar Prisoner Amnesty 2025: ​On April 17, 2025, Myanmar’s military government announced the release of approximately 4,893 prisoners as part of an amnesty marking the traditional Thingyan New Year. This annual Myanmar Prisoner Amnesty, intended to promote “peace of mind” and social harmony, also included 13 foreign nationals who are to be deported. However, the extent to which political detainees were among those freed remains unclear. (AP News)

The announcement comes amid a turbulent time in Myanmar, where the military regime, known officially as the State Administration Council, has faced domestic resistance and international criticism since seizing power in a February 2021 coup. According to the official statement, the New Year amnesty is meant to promote “peace of mind” among the populace and support national reconciliation.

Foreigners Included in Myanmar Prisoner Amnesty

Among those Myanmar Prisoner Amnesty, there were 13 foreign nationals, who are expected to be deported following their release. The government did not immediately disclose their nationalities or the nature of their offenses. The decision is consistent with past practices during major holidays, where the regime occasionally grants clemency to both citizens and foreign detainees.

However, there was little transparency over whether any of the thousands of political prisoners detained since the 2021 coup were included in the amnesty. Rights groups and opposition activists have expressed skepticism about the gesture, noting that in past amnesties, very few—if any—political detainees were actually freed.

Since the coup, over 22,000 people have been arrested for political reasons, including journalists, activists, and members of the ousted National League for Democracy party. Among the most high-profile prisoners is Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and de facto leader of Myanmar’s former civilian government. Suu Kyi has been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison on a series of charges widely viewed as politically motivated.

Legal Conditions and Public Reaction

The government’s statement included a warning that any of the released individuals who commit another offense will be forced to serve the remainder of their original sentence in addition to any new penalties. These terms are standard for such releases and are intended as a deterrent.

The Myanmar Prisoner Amnesty specifically excluded individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, and terrorism-related offenses, according to reports from local media.

While amnesties during Thingyan are traditional in Myanmar and often welcomed by the families of those released, public reaction this year has been muted, in part due to the broader atmosphere of grief and instability in the country.

Mourning and Chaos Overshadow Thingyan Celebrations

This year’s Thingyan celebrations were overshadowed by a national tragedy. On March 28, just weeks before the holiday, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck western Myanmar, killing an estimated 3,725 people and injuring thousands more. The government declared a period of mourning, and many traditional celebrations were canceled or subdued out of respect for the victims.

In a rare televised New Year address, junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing expressed condolences to the families affected by the earthquake. He pledged to lead reconstruction efforts in the affected regions and reiterated his commitment to eventually holding general elections—something the junta has repeatedly promised but failed to deliver. He also called for “political dialogue” over continued armed conflict, a statement that was met with skepticism by opposition forces and ethnic armed groups still engaged in combat with the regime.

Ongoing Instability Despite Holiday Myanmar Prisoner Amnesty

Despite the symbolic nature of the amnesty, fighting between the military and pro-democracy resistance forces continues across much of the country. The holiday period saw no significant pause in clashes, especially in regions such as Sagaing, Chin, and Karen states, where local defense groups have maintained resistance efforts.

International human rights organizations have continued to criticize the Myanmar military for widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and the use of airstrikes on civilian areas. The United Nations and ASEAN have both urged the junta to release political prisoners and engage in meaningful dialogue with opposition groups.

As the New Year begins in Myanmar, many citizens remain caught between hope and despair. The Myanmar Prisoner Amnesty may bring temporary relief for the families of those released, but for many others, the prospect of peace and justice still feels far out of reach.