Burmese Australians have cautiously welcomed the ceasefire deal between Burma's government and prominent rebel group the KNU.
Negotiators from both sides signed the pact yesterday in the capital of the eastern Karen state.
It's the first ceasefire ever brokered with the Karen National Union, which has been fighting for its own homeland since Burma's independence in 1948.
Amnesty International has also welcomed the news.
"It is significant. It remains to be seen whether it holds and really what benefits at all it will bring to either side," Benjamin Zawacki told SBS.
Mr Zawacki says he's cautious because previous ceasefires with other ethnic groups have collapsed when the Burmese leadership failed to address underlying issues.
And Burmese Australian community leader Myint Cho is equally skeptical.
"We must remember that the President and his Minsiters were former ministers in the previous repressive regime which has track record of lying to the people as well as international community," Myint Cho from Burma Campaign Australia told SBS.
"That's the reason I have doubt".
But despite the doubt, signs of reform continue.
More political prisoners were freed today, and they reportedly include former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, and prominent dissident Min Ko Naing.
Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party has hailed the releases as a "positive sign".
And Australia's Foreign Minister says encouragement and engagement is key.
"Against where we've been with Burma for decades, this is a bright time of real opportunity," Kevin Rudd said.
Myint Cho and Ben Zawacki agree this is no time to ease up on international and domestic pressure.
"But to constantly remind the government that whatever's been done thus far, no matter how positive it is, is not far enough," Zawacki told SBS.
Indeed, Western governments say all political prisoners - and there's an estimated 1500 more of them, must be released before sanctions can be eased.
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