Burma's Political Prisoners and U.S. Sanctions

Since his appointment in April 2011, President Thein Sein has granted amnesty to selected prisoners on four separate occasions. In total, the Union Government has released 28,244 prisoners, of which 632 were political prisoners, according to the AAPP(B).

The State Department is actively discussing the political prisoner issue-including the definition of political prisoners-with the Burmese government, opposition political parties, and representatives of some ethnic groups. In these discussions, U.S. officials emphasize the importance of the release of all political prisoners for the removal of U.S. sanctions on Burma.

The status of Burma's political prisoners is likely to figure prominently in any congressional consideration of U.S. policy in Burma. Congress may choose to examine the political prisoner issue in Burma either separately or as part of a broader review of U.S. policy towards Burma. Congress may also consider taking up legislation-on its own or in response to a request from the Obama Administration-to amend, modify, or remove some of the existing sanctions on Burma.

This report will be updated as circumstances require.


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