Australian jailed in Myanmar applauded in Parliament

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Sean Turnell, an Australian economist who spent almost two years imprisoned in Myanmar, received a hero’s welcome Thursday at Australia’s Parliament House where lawmakers rose in a standing ovation and the prime minister praised his courage, optimism and resilience.

Turnell, an adviser to Myanmar’s elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was among American, Japanese and British citizens released Nov. 17 as part of a broader prisoner amnesty during Myanmar’s National Victory Day celebrations.

Days after Myanmar’s military seized control of the Southeast Asian country in February 2021, Turnell was arrested while preparing the leave the country. He was sentenced in September to three years in prison on charges of violating the country’s official secrets law and immigration law.

The 58-year-old Sydney resident and his wife Ha Vu sat in the House of Representatives on Thursday on Parliament’s final sitting day of the year as lawmakers stood to applaud the couple.

“We are so glad as you’ve seen from the response across the chamber here to have you back,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the couple.

Albanese said the military had “trashed human rights” in Myanmar, where Turnell has worked intermittently over 30 years.

Albanese thanked the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan for helping Australia’s diplomatic efforts to secure Turnell’s release.

“What he endured in his 650 days of incarceration is something that no human being should have to endure and yet he has done it with grace and even in inhumane conditions with profound humanity,” Albanese told Parliament.

Talking directly to Turnell, Albanese added, “Our relief and joy at your release is also tinged with no small amount of awe, awe and respect at your courage, your optimism and...