THE Myanmar National Human Rights Commission is heartened by the State media news that 24 out of those performing artists, film artists and musicians prosecuted under Section 505-A of the Penal Code, 86 male and female prisoners who are registered and 2,210 male and female prisoners under trial at the prisons and jails in Nay Pyi Taw and respective regions and states, totalling 2,296 have been dismissed from their cases and released in accordance with the laws and procedures.
It is learned that those prosecuted prisoners released include journalists, according to Announcement 6/2021 of the Myanmar Press Council. The Commission believes that such dismissal of charges against those prisoners under prosecution, including artists and journalists, from their cases in accordance with the laws and procedures will also hearten the relevant families, citizens, international and regional human rights organizations.
At this juncture when the humanity including Myanmar is threatened by Covid-19 Pandemic, dismissing the charges in accordance with the laws and procedures like this is a very significant measure from the humanitarian and human rights perspective and, in the view of the Commission, will go some way in contributing to the efforts for the prevention, control and treatment of Covid-19.
The MNHRC also welcomes the fact that the released journalists are urged in the Myanmar Press Council Announcement 6/2021 to uphold the media ethics and standards required for the development of the Fourth Pillar. The MNHRC fervently hopes that similar further measures will follow sooner and give impetus to the building of the Union based on democracy and federalism.
The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission