Burma: Thousands of prisoners to be released before election

October 13th, 2010

Unconfirmed reports suggest the ruling military junta in Burma plans to release of thousands of prisoners early to allow them to vote in November’s elections. The total number of detainees set for release is reportedly 11,000. It is not yet clear whether any of Burma’s 2,200 political prisoners will be freed. Detained pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been banned from running in the elections — the first in the country for 20 years — and there are fears that the voting process will be heavily controlled by the government. Under the new constitution some 25% of seats are guaranteed for the military.

“Nice people take drugs” bus advert withdrawn

June 10th, 2009

The chief executive of leading drugs and humans rights charity Release today accused advertising regulators of censorship after the body’s ad campaign was withdrawn from London buses. Read more here