The military has ruled Myanmar by force for almost all of its post-independence history, before a decade-long democratic experiment gave civilian politicians tentative control.
The generals took back power in a 2021 coup that deposed the government of Aung San Suu Kyi, now 80, detaining the democratic figurehead and plunging the country into civil war.
“All those detained unjustly since the coup – including state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi – need to be released immediately and unconditionally,” he said on X.
“There must be an end to the unrelenting violence against all of Myanmar’s people.”
Aung San Suu Kyi had her sentence reduced on Friday as part of a mass amnesty, a source close to her legal case told AFP.
Myanmar’s former president Win Myint, also detained since the coup, was also pardoned of his convictions during the post-coup period of military rule, a statement said.
Turk said he was relieved by the “long overdue release” of Win Myint and other prisoners from arbitrary detention, as well as the commutation of death sentences.
UN chief Antonio Guterres stressed the need for “meaningful efforts” to ensure the swift release of all those arbitrarily detained, his spokesman said in New York.
“A viable political solution must be founded on an immediate cessation of violence and a genuine commitment to inclusive dialogue,” the spokesman said.
“This requires an environment that allows the people of Myanmar to freely and peacefully exercise their political rights.”
Win Myint served as president starting in 2018, with Myanmar in the midst of its experiment with civilian government that was abruptly halted by the coup.
While he occupied the top spot, it functioned as a ceremonial role following the lead of de facto government head Aung San Suu Kyi, who was barred from holding the presidency under a military-drafted constitution.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains detained, serving a 27-year sentence rights groups decry as a politically motivated move to hobble her National League for Democracy party.