By LALIT K JHA / UNITED NATIONS
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the release of seven political prisoners in Burma and reiterated the UN’s demand that all political prisoners be released.
"The release of political prisoners, including several of the individuals released today, was one focus of discussion between the secretary-general's special adviser, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, and the Myanmar [Burmese] government during his latest visit to Myanmar," said a UN statement.
"The secretary-general reiterates that all political prisoners should be released and that all citizens of Myanmar should be able to enjoy political freedoms, as necessary steps towards the process of national reconciliation and dialogue. He looks forward to any further action by the Myanmar government in this regard," the statement said.
The release of the seven political prisoners was part of a larger amnesty procedure that included Burma's longest-serving political prisoner, Win Tin, and six other senior members of the National League for Democracy, the statement said.
The UN statement was the focus of criticism by some pro-democracy supporters of Burma who noted the office of the secretary-general routinely welcomes the release of political prisoners, but rarely makes a statement when the Burmese military government arrests political prisoners.
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