Htin Kyaw has been released from prison following an announcement by the Myanmar Army that all charges against him, along with many other journalists and activists, had been dropped. The statement released on 1 September 2017, went on to say that “in order to keep on working together for the national interest of the country and the people, the Tatmadaw decided to forgive and drop charges against the personnel and media.”
Htin Kyaw, leader of the grassroots Movement for Democratic Current Forces (MDCF), was arrested on 26 October 2016 for his criticism of the Myanmar justice system, and charged with “making a statement with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, any officer, soldier … in the Army … to mutiny or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such” under Article 505(a) of the Penal Code.
Htin Kyaw’s detention related to his peaceful exercise of his human rights, he should never have been charged in the first place. Amnesty International will continue to campaign for the release of prisoners of conscience in Myanmar.
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