DHAKA: Myanmar’s president has pardoned 56 political prisoners, moving forward with his pledge to by the end of the year release all those jailed for opposing the government.

Myanmar president Thein Sein ordered their release on Tuesday, just ahead of a forum in Brunei to be attended by leaders from across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, reports The Straits Times.

Myanmar is expected to face questions about ongoing sectarian violence.

It has become a pattern for prisoner amnesties in Myanmar to coincide with high-profile international meetings as a way of highlighting the nominally civilian government’s reforms since taking office after years of absolute military rule.

A member of the government’s political prisoner scrutiny committee, Ye Aung, said those released on Tuesday included several ethnic minorities.

He said about 130 political prisoners are still believed to be jailed.

BDST: 1434 HRS, OCT 08, 2013
RoR/BSK