Myanmar has freed more than 100 political prisoners under an amnesty ordered by state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, as her first official act.
The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Saturday cited police as saying that 113 political detainees were freed across the country. Their freedom came along with a general amnesty for ordinary convicts ahead of Myanmar's traditional New Year festival, often the occasion for prisoner releases.
"Today's release of most of the student protesters is a huge step forward for human rights in Myanmar, and we are delighted that these men and women will walk free. It sends a strong message about the new government's intention to end the cycle of political arrest and detention in Myanmar," said Laura Haigh, Myanmar researcher for the human rights group Amnesty International.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner commended the government's "early demonstrated commitment to human rights". He told reporters that the US stands ready to support Myanmar on further democratic reform.

Source: QNA