Burma promises to free all political prisoners by year’s end

Burma will release all political prisoners “by the end of the year”, President Thein Sein said during his first official visit to the UK. The president made the remarks during a speech in London, after holding talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron, according to the (BBC). Burma, also known as Myanmar, has freed hundreds of political detainees since Thein Sein took power in March 2010. Up until then, it barely acknowledged the prisoners’ existence. Their release is part of ongoing political reforms. “By the end of the year there will be no prisoners of conscience in Myanmar,” President Thein Sein said on Monday. He added that a special committee was reviewing every political inmate’s case. The president is in Britain to discuss trade and military ties. He wants help to boost Burma’s economy and Western nations are keen to invest in the resource-rich nation.