Myanmar's embattled junta government on Saturday said it would release almost 6,000 prisoners as part of an annual amnesty to mark the country's independence day.
The military has arrested thousands of protesters and activists since its February 2021 coup that ended Myanmar's brief democratic experiment and plunged the nation into turmoil.
More than 5,800 prisoners -- including 180 foreigners -- will be freed, the junta said in a statement on Saturday, when the country marks 77 years of independence from British colonial rule.
It did not give details of what the prisoners had been convicted of or the nationalities of the foreign detainees who were set to be deported on release.
The military said it ordered the pardons "on humanitarian and compassionate grounds".
The junta also announced that 144 people who had been sentenced to life in prison would have their sentences commuted to 15 years.
Myanmar frequently grants amnesty to thousands of prisoners to commemorate holidays or Buddhist festivals.
Last year, the junta announced the release of more than 9,000 prisoners to mark independence day.
The annual independence day ceremony held in the heavily guarded capital Naypyidaw on Saturday morning saw around 500 government and military attendees.
A speech by junta chief Min Aung Hlaing -- who was not present at the event -- was delivered by deputy army chief Soe Win.
Soe Win reiterated the junta's call to dozens of ethnic minority armed groups that have been fighting it for the last four years to put down arms and "resolve the political issue through peaceful means".
He repeated a military pledge to hold delayed democratic elections and called for national unity.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World | Myanmar frequently grants amnesty to thousands of prisoners to commemorate holidays or Buddhist festivals and it released 9,000 prisoners last year.

Myanmar's embattled junta government on Saturday said it would release almost 6,000 prisoners as part of an annual amnesty to mark the country's independence day. The military has arrested thousands of protesters and activists since its February 2021 coup that ended Myanmar's brief democratic experiment and plunged the nation into turmoil. More than 5,800 prisoners -- including 180 foreigners -- will be freed, the junta said in a statement on Saturday, when the country marks 77 years of independence from British colonial rule. It did not give details of what the prisoners had been convicted of or the nationalities of the foreign detainees who were set to be deported on release. The military said it ordered the pardons "on humanitarian and compassionate grounds". The junta also announced that 144 people who had been sentenced to life in prison would have their sentences commuted to 15 years. Myanmar frequently grants amnesty to thousands of prisoners to commemorate holidays or Buddhist festivals. Last year, the junta announced the release of more than 9,000 prisoners to mark independence day. The annual independence day ceremony held in the heavily guarded capital Naypyidaw on Saturday morning saw around 500 government and military attendees. A speech by junta chief Min Aung Hlaing -- who was not present at the event -- was delivered by deputy army chief Soe Win. Soe Win reiterated the junta's call to dozens of ethnic minority armed groups that have been fighting it for the last four years to put down arms and "resolve the political issue through peaceful means". He repeated a military pledge to hold delayed democratic elections and called for national unity. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Myanmar: Junta says will free nearly 6,000 prisoners in annual amnesty

Myanmar's military government has halted the issuing of permits for men to work abroad amid the ongoing civil war. The decision came weeks after the junta released an order mandating enlistment of youth which prompted many to try to leave the country.

Myanmar's military government has halted the issuing of permits for men to work abroad amid the ongoing civil war. The decision came weeks after the junta released an order mandating enlistment of youth which prompted many to try to leave the country. Myanmar's authorities on Thursday (May 3) announced that they are suspending all the applications from men for overseas work permits. The labour ministry announced that it has suspended the acceptance of applications from men seeking employment overseas temporarily in a statement released by the junta's information team late Thursday. This decision was deemed necessary to "take more time to verify departure processes and according to other issues," the statement read as reported by AFP. The junta implemented the conscription order in February, following which approximately 100,000 men requested work permits. According to media accounts, the order caused thousands of people to line up for visas outside foreign embassies in Yangon, while some crossed into neighbouring Thailand to avoid enlistment. Also read: Britain sanctions 2 Israeli groups, 4 individuals for violence in West Bank Men between the ages of 18 and 35 and women between the ages of 18 and 27 are required to serve a minimum of two years in the military. The recent crackdown on overseas employment is viewed as another major blow by Myanmar's military government. Numerous individuals in Myanmar have sought employment opportunities in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. Many Myanmar nationals are currently employed in various Asian countries. Previously, locals were permitted to seek employment abroad. Following the 2021 coup by the military, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically-elected government, the junta has been facing resistance from various factions, leading to a civil war that has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of a minimum of 2.6 million individuals, as reported by the UN.

Myanmar suspends foreign work permits as thousands try to flee after enlistment order

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday (June 7) that lawyers defending political detainees in Myanmar military junta-run courts are facing harassment and are even being jailed by military authorities. HRW warned that intimidation was forcing many lawyers to stop taking cases.

The military junta toppled the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi more than two years ago. The country has been in turmoil ever since. The military junta has arrested tens of thousands in a crackdown on dissent within the country.

Rights groups allege that the authorities have used courts to throttle opponents. These include Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar's former president win Myint. Both of them were jailed for lengthy terms by closed-door courts.

HRW said in a report that defence lawyers, who are defending political detainees, are working in "special courts" set up by the military junta. These lawyers, says the report, are facing harassment and are even being threatened by the authorities. The report is based on interviews with 19 lawyers.

"In the courtroom, I now have to worry about not getting myself detained rather than speaking the truth," one Yangon-based lawyer told the watchdog.

"Everyone at the court knows who I am... The junta can detain me at any time, and they can and will make up any reasons they want."

<h2>Lawyer given 15-year jail term</h2>

HRW mentioned the case of attorney Ywet Nu Aung. She was reportedly detained as she left a court hearing. She was representing a former chief minister and member of Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

It was alleged that Ywet Nu Aung was helping to provide money to anti-junta militias. She was later sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labour.

Human Rights Watch said that lawyers are regularly barred from talking with clients in private before hearings. Moreover, in an overcrowded legal system, some lawyers had taken on hundreds of cases.

"Sometimes cross-examination doesn't even happen," another lawyer told HRW.

"It's near impossible to challenge what they (the prosecution) present as evidence, and we never get to have a defendant released on bail." 
 
All 19 lawyers told HRW they had experienced "intimidation and surveillance by junta authorities".&nbsp;

"Few have been willing to put themselves at risk of further surveillance and intimidation and many have stopped taking cases," HRW said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/united-nations-special-envoy-for-myanmar-to-resign-says-un-chief-spokesman-598932">United Nations special envoy for Myanmar to resign, says UN chief spokesman&nbsp;</a> 
 
More than 23,000 people have been arrested by the junta since the coup in February 2021, according to a local monitoring group.&nbsp;

Last year, a junta-controlled court ordered the execution of a former NLD lawmaker along with a prominent activist over allegations of "terrorism" — Myanmar's first use of capital punishment in decades.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday (June 7) that lawyers defending political detainees in Myanmar military junta-run courts are facing harassment and are even being jailed by military authorities.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday (June 7) that lawyers defending political detainees in Myanmar military junta-run courts are facing harassment and are even being jailed by military authorities. HRW warned that intimidation was forcing many lawyers to stop taking cases. The military junta toppled the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi more than two years ago. The country has been in turmoil ever since. The military junta has arrested tens of thousands in a crackdown on dissent within the country. Rights groups allege that the authorities have used courts to throttle opponents. These include Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar's former president win Myint. Both of them were jailed for lengthy terms by closed-door courts. HRW said in a report that defence lawyers, who are defending political detainees, are working in "special courts" set up by the military junta. These lawyers, says the report, are facing harassment and are even being threatened by the authorities. The report is based on interviews with 19 lawyers. "In the courtroom, I now have to worry about not getting myself detained rather than speaking the truth," one Yangon-based lawyer told the watchdog. "Everyone at the court knows who I am... The junta can detain me at any time, and they can and will make up any reasons they want." Lawyer given 15-year jail term HRW mentioned the case of attorney Ywet Nu Aung. She was reportedly detained as she left a court hearing. She was representing a former chief minister and member of Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). It was alleged that Ywet Nu Aung was helping to provide money to anti-junta militias. She was later sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labour. Human Rights Watch said that lawyers are regularly barred from talking with clients in private before hearings. Moreover, in an overcrowded legal system, some lawyers had taken on hundreds of cases. "Sometimes cross-examination doesn't even happen," another lawyer told HRW. "It's near impossible to challenge what they (the prosecution) present as evidence, and we never get to have a defendant released on bail." All 19 lawyers told HRW they had experienced "intimidation and surveillance by junta authorities". "Few have been willing to put themselves at risk of further surveillance and intimidation and many have stopped taking cases," HRW said. Also Read | United Nations special envoy for Myanmar to resign, says UN chief spokesman More than 23,000 people have been arrested by the junta since the coup in February 2021, according to a local monitoring group. Last year, a junta-controlled court ordered the execution of a former NLD lawmaker along with a prominent activist over allegations of "terrorism" — Myanmar's first use of capital punishment in decades. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Myanmar junta intimidating lawyers who represent opponents: Report

Myanmar's military junta on Friday said the death toll from Cyclone Mocha has reached 145. Most of the dead, as per the news agency AFP, belong to the persecuted Rohingya minority. In a statement, the junta said that out of the 145 dead, 24 were locals, four were soldiers and the rest 117 were "Bengalis" — a pejorative term for the Rohingya.

"Altogether 145 local people were killed during the cyclone," said the authorities in a statement.&nbsp;

<h2>Media reports of higher Rohingya death toll "not true"</h2>

The junta statement also said that media reports of around 400 Rohingya dead were "not true". As per the statement, action would be taken against the outlets that publish the number.

Since it ousted the elected government more than two years ago, the junta, as per AFP, has arrested scores of journalists and has closed outlets deemed critical of its rule.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/in-myanmars-rakhine-locals-say-hundreds-have-died-due-to-cyclone-mocha-official-figures-claim-only-3-dead-593071">In Myanmar's Rakhine, locals say hundreds have died due to Cyclone Mocha; official figures claim only 3 dead</a>

<h2>United Nations on Cyclone Mocha's damage to Myanmar</h2>

On Friday, the United Nations in a statement said that at least 800,000 people in Myanmar have been affected by Cyclone Mocha.

It said that the affected people need emergency food aid and other assistance.

According to Anthea Webb, the UN World Food Programme's deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific, the cyclone caused extensive damage in Myanmar's Rakhine State, with massive destruction to homes, roads, hospitals, schools, and telecommunications and power lines.

"There are at least 800,000 people in urgent need of emergency food assistance," said Webb,&nbsp;adding that "greater needs for food, shelter, water, health and other humanitarian aid are expected to be revealed as we reach more areas."

<h2>International aid</h2>

AFP reports that a few international aid groups, including the United Nations World Food Programme, have been working on the ground in Sittwe.

However, a junta spokesperson remained silent about whether UN agencies would be granted access to displacement camps outside Sittwe that house Rohingya.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/cylcone-mocha-indian-navy-rushes-to-help-battered-myanmar-593724">Cyclone Mocha: Indian Navy ships rush relief material to battered Myanmar, many feared dead</a>

Myanmar state media on Tuesday reported that "offers from the international community for providing aid have been accepted."

"But relief and rehabilitation tasks must be done through existing united strength," added the Global New Light of Myanmar.

<h2>Cyclone Mocha and the damage it did to Myanmar</h2>

On Sunday, the cyclone brought lashing rain and winds of 195 kilometres per hour (120 miles per hour) to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh.&nbsp;

The high-speed winds collapsed buildings, turned streets into rivers, uprooted trees and also knocked out communications across much of Myanmar's Rakhine state, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who following decades of ethnic conflict, have been living there in displacement camps.

<h2>The Rohingyas</h2>

In Myanmar, Rohingyas are widely viewed as interlopers from Bangladesh. As per AFP, they are denied citizenship and access to health care in the country. To travel outside of the townships, they require permission.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Myanmar's military junta on Friday said the death toll from Cyclone Mocha has reached 145. Most of the dead, as per the news agency AFP, belong to the persecuted Rohingya minority.

Myanmar's military junta on Friday said the death toll from Cyclone Mocha has reached 145. Most of the dead, as per the news agency AFP, belong to the persecuted Rohingya minority. In a statement, the junta said that out of the 145 dead, 24 were locals, four were soldiers and the rest 117 were "Bengalis" — a pejorative term for the Rohingya. "Altogether 145 local people were killed during the cyclone," said the authorities in a statement. Media reports of higher Rohingya death toll "not true" The junta statement also said that media reports of around 400 Rohingya dead were "not true". As per the statement, action would be taken against the outlets that publish the number. Since it ousted the elected government more than two years ago, the junta, as per AFP, has arrested scores of journalists and has closed outlets deemed critical of its rule. Also read | In Myanmar's Rakhine, locals say hundreds have died due to Cyclone Mocha; official figures claim only 3 dead United Nations on Cyclone Mocha's damage to Myanmar On Friday, the United Nations in a statement said that at least 800,000 people in Myanmar have been affected by Cyclone Mocha. It said that the affected people need emergency food aid and other assistance. According to Anthea Webb, the UN World Food Programme's deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific, the cyclone caused extensive damage in Myanmar's Rakhine State, with massive destruction to homes, roads, hospitals, schools, and telecommunications and power lines. "There are at least 800,000 people in urgent need of emergency food assistance," said Webb, adding that "greater needs for food, shelter, water, health and other humanitarian aid are expected to be revealed as we reach more areas." International aid AFP reports that a few international aid groups, including the United Nations World Food Programme, have been working on the ground in Sittwe. However, a junta spokesperson remained silent about whether UN agencies would be granted access to displacement camps outside Sittwe that house Rohingya. Also read | Cyclone Mocha: Indian Navy ships rush relief material to battered Myanmar, many feared dead Myanmar state media on Tuesday reported that "offers from the international community for providing aid have been accepted." "But relief and rehabilitation tasks must be done through existing united strength," added the Global New Light of Myanmar. Cyclone Mocha and the damage it did to Myanmar On Sunday, the cyclone brought lashing rain and winds of 195 kilometres per hour (120 miles per hour) to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh. The high-speed winds collapsed buildings, turned streets into rivers, uprooted trees and also knocked out communications across much of Myanmar's Rakhine state, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who following decades of ethnic conflict, have been living there in displacement camps. The Rohingyas In Myanmar, Rohingyas are widely viewed as interlopers from Bangladesh. As per AFP, they are denied citizenship and access to health care in the country. To travel outside of the townships, they require permission. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cyclone Mocha: Myanmar Junta says reports of 400 Rohingya dead 'not true,' claims toll at 145