Secretary-General Welcomes Release of Political Prisoners in Myanmar

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the release of 73 political prisoners in Myanmar yesterday and also the recent statement by President Thein Sein that all political prisoners in the country will be released by the end of the year.  He hopes that these and other measures undertaken recently in the country’s transition to democracy will further strengthen efforts towards a comprehensive nationwide ceasefire and national reconciliation in Myanmar.

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