The United States has welcomed the release of Reverend Dr Hkalam Samson from prison in Myanmar after he served more than a year of a six-year sentence on military-led, manufactured charges.
Rev. Dr Samson is a prominent, well-respected religious leader whose courageous work includes advocating for freedom of religion or belief for all.
“We are pleased that he is finally able to return home to his family and continue his important work,” said Matthew Miller, US Department of State Spokesperson.
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“While we welcome this news, we reiterate our calls for the military regime to end its repression of, and violence against, religious actors, communities, and sites and houses of worship in Burma (Myanmar),” he added.
Miller said the regime has continued to imprison political actors, democratically elected officials, human rights defenders, and members of civil society.
“We continue to urge the military regime to immediately release the many individuals it has unjustly detained, cease its violence against civilians, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and respect the people of Burma’s aspirations for inclusive, representative democracy,” Miller said in a statement.