Here’s the pertinent Burma news for today:
The Agence France-Presse is reporting that the junta has released journalist Win Tin, their longest-serving political prisoner, as part of an amnesty for more than 9,000 prisoners. The state-controlled media announced that these prisoners would be freed so they could take part in the 2010 elections promised by the generals. Of Burma’s 2,000 political prisoners, though, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party has stated that only four, including Win Tin, were freed today. Win Tin, who served nineteen years in prison, spoke to the international press today, stating defiantly, “I will continue with politics as I am a politician. What kind of politics? To finish military rule.”
Mizzima News reports that Ven. U Gambira, one of the organizer’s of last year’s “Saffron Revolution,” appeared in court today and was in ill health.
One year ago today, the Saffron Revolution escalated considerably, in part because of the contributions of Burma’s pink-robed nuns. I’ve noticed that when the demonstrations last year are discussed in the media, the blogosphere, and elsewhere, we often say “the monks,” when the fact is that a significant number of nuns were actively involved as well. Today, we do well to remember that. Perhaps this picture (via Rule of Lords), taken one year ago, will help…
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