Success: Massive prisoner release in Myanmar

 I got this from Amnesty International:


Terrific news from Myanmar: release of 500 prisoners!

Amnesty International welcomes the release of 500 prisoners in Myanmar, including many political prisoners whose detention has been the focus of decades of intensive campaigning by Amnesty supporters like you.

You know how important this is - sometimes any sign of hope or progress in this closed, secretive country seems remote.

But Amnesty members didn't give up on these prisoners. The government of Myanmar showed us with this release that it listened to your voices. This is another significant moment for human rights in Myanmar, following the release of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi in November 2010. She had been under house arrest for 20 years!

Thank you for helping make these achievements possible, whether through your activism or through your financial support.
In spite of this great news there is still work to be done. Amnesty is renewing its call on the government of Myanmar to urgently set-up a mechanism - with assistance from the United Nations and participation from civil society - to review the cases of all remaining prisoners to determine the true reason for their arrest.

I hope you will join me in relishing this moment of freedom for so many who have served long, unjust sentences, often in awful prison conditions.

<< If you're a long-time supporter but haven't renewed your membership this year, or would like to make a special gift, please take a moment to do so now. or << Join Amnesty today as a regular, monthly supporter

We will be watching closely for further details of this announcement - and searching for the names of specific individuals whose cases have been the focus of our campaigning.
Thank you!
Sincerely,



Alex Neve
Secretary General
Amnesty International Canada

P.S.:  More than 30,000 Canadian Amnesty members choose to support us by making an automatic monthly donation. This cost-effective way of giving allows you to spread your donation across the year, and for us to plan the work needed to achieve successes like today's release of 500 prisoners in Myanmar. Join us as a regular monthly supporter and help us continue our work to secure the freedom of those who remain wrongfully imprisoned.

P.P.S. Last week we told you about imminent executions in the Gambia. Now, thanks to international pressure the president has announced a moratorium! Our worldwide response has spared 38 lives!