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Politics
Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia

Relief as Australian Sean Turnell to be released from prison in Myanmar, but more needs to be done

Sean Turnell Myanmar ASEAN Australia United States Suu Kyi Vicky Bowman

In one of the few positive developments to come out of Myanmar in recent times, the military junta announced on Thursday it would be releasing almost 6,000 prisoners in an amnesty to mark Myanmar’s National Day.

Included in the announcement were four foreign nationals being held in Myanmar’s jails: Australian academic Sean Turnell; former UK Ambassador to Myanmar and Myanmar resident Vicky Bowman; Japanese documentary filmmaker Toru Kubota; and US citizen Kyaw Htay Oo.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong reacted cautiously to the announcement, clearly waiting for further confirmation before celebrating the news.

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