TheRepublic.com - Political imprisonment News

Key senator to let Myanmar sanctions bill lapse

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:14:11 -0400

WASHINGTON - Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, easing up on his long-held tough stance on Myanmar, said Tuesday he planned to allow key sanctions legislation against the Southeast Asian nation to lapse because of the country's progress toward democracy.

Myanmar leader, Obama to meet while reforms stall

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:56:55 -0400

WASHINGTON - Myanmar President Thein Sein's historic White House visit next week is the culmination of U.S. outreach to a former pariah regime. That's been based on a principle of taking "action for action" by deepening ties in response to democratic reforms.

Myanmar leader frees prisoners ahead of US visit

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:58:14 -0400

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's president has pardoned at least 20 political prisoners just ahead of a historic visit to the United States that will highlight the two sides' improved relations brought about by the former pariah nation's democratic reforms.

Argentine dictator Videla dies in prison at age 87

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:48:50 -0400

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Former dictator Jorge Rafael Videla, who took power over Argentina in a 1976 coup and led a military junta that killed thousands of his fellow citizens in a dirty war to eliminate so-called "subversives," died quietly in his sleep Friday while serving life in prison for crimes against humanity. He was 87.

Prison workers feel trapped in political spat

Sat, 11 May 2013 13:05:14 -0400

OKLAHOMA CITY - Prison workers across Oklahoma who were denied a raise in a $7.1 billion budget deal say they feel trapped in the crossfire of a political dispute between the governor and the state's prison director over how much money the agency has available in several revolving accounts.

Jailed protesters cast shadow on anti-Putin rally

Tue, 07 May 2013 03:22:54 -0400

MOSCOW - About 20,000 protesters thronged Bolotnaya Square across from the Kremlin on Monday, a year after a protest at the same spot turned violent on the eve of President Vladimir Putin's inauguration.

US extends Myanmar sanctions authority for 1 year

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:52:37 -0400

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration extended Thursday by one year targeted U.S. sanctions against Myanmar to prevent backsliding on democratic reforms.