On Friday, January 13, 2012 Burma released numerous prominent political prisoners in a significant step toward ending Western economic sanctions against the country. The presidential amnesty was cautiously welcomed by rights groups who warned dissidents still lack legal protections.
Burma Releases Hundreds of Political Prisoners
Family members of prisoners wait outside Burma's Insein prison on January 13, 2012. (AP)
A Burmese political prisoner comes out of Insein prison. (AP)
Pyone Cho, an activist of the 88 Generation Students Group, with his parents after he was freed. (AP)
Zaw Thet Htway, a journalist who was arrested during the 2007 Saffron Revolution, is welcomed by his colleagues after being released from prison. (AP)
Jim Mee, right, and Nilar Thein, center, activists of the 88 Generation Students Group released from prison on January 13, 2012, with their daughter. (AP)
Mya Aye, one of the 88 Generation students activists, welcomed by his colleagues after his release from prison. (AP)
Nilar Thein, an activist of the 88 Generation Students Group, shakes hands with one of her colleagues as she arrives at the airport after being released from prison. (AP)
Win Maw, a journalist who was arrested during the 2007 Saffron Revolution, is welcomed by his wife after being released from prison. (AP)