Three Mon leaders will remain in Moulmein prison despite the Burmese government’s recent release of forty-five political prisoners.

AFP from Rangoon reported that the military government released 45 prisoners from various facilities around the country, but did not identify those freed. "Among those released are elderly inmates, females either pregnant or with young children and those incarcerated for disturbing peace and tranquility," according to a statement released by the ruling junta. "All of them are in good health and are back together with their respective families."

"The government of Myanmar will continue to release those who will cause no harm to the community nor threaten the existing peace, stability and unity of the nation."

Although no further descriptions were given of those released, the language of the statement is consistent with previous announcements of releases of political prisoners, including members of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).

Three Mon National Democratic Front leaders Nai Ngwe Thein, Dr. Kyi Win, and Dr. Min Soe Lin were arrested in 1998 for urging the New Mon State Party to reconsider its position on its cease-fire agreement with the junta and for supporting the Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP). They were sentenced to seven years imprisonment with hard labour, serving their term at the Moulmein Prison, Mon State.

Myanmar has endured frequent criticism of its poor human rights record and has been urged repeatedly to release political prisoners, which human rights group Amnesty International says number between 1,200 and 1,300.