A total of 6656 prisoners — 569 women and 6087 men - enjoyed amnesty as from 3 January, 2012, after the President Office of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar had announced the Order No.1/2012 on 2 January, 2012.

The order was issued as a gesture of hailing the 64^th Anniversary Independence Day and for the sake of State peace and stability, the rule of law, national solidarity and on grounds of humanitarian and the President has granted an amnesty for the prisoners from various jails in accord with Section 204 (b) of the Constitution.

Besides, the death sentences of 33 prisoners - 31 men and two women - were commuted to life imprisonment, over 30-year sentences of 1118 prisoners - 988 men and 130 women - were reduced to 30-year sentences, from 20 year sentences to 30-year sentences of 2702 prisoners - 2300 men and 402 women - were commuted to 20-year sentences and under 20-year sentences of 35111 prisoners - 29855 men and 5256 women - were reduced by a quarter of their prison terms.