Myanmar begins prisoner amnesty

Myanmar began a prisoner amnesty on Wednesday that included a number of political detainees.

The country formerly known as Burma said on Tuesday that it would free 6,359 “prisoners of conscience.”

Among those to have already been released is dissident Shin Gambira, a Buddhist monk who led street protests four years ago.

The United States has hailed the announcement to release political prisoners as “a very positive sign”.

Western diplomats have long called on Myanmar to improve its human rights record as a condition for easing sanctions after decades of authoritarian rule.

Copyright © 2012 euronews