Says government should order independent inquiries into all prison deaths

Prominent economist Prof Rehman Sobhan yesterday said many are languishing in jail primarily because of their political identity, describing it as a failure of the judicial system and the interim government.

Myanmar President Htin Kyaw pardons at least 63 political prisoners on the country's traditional New Year Sunday, according to a watchdog group, in his first major political act since he was sworn in last month.