EBO Burma News, 18 March 2003

 

News Summary:

 

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1.  UN rights envoy to arrive in Myanmar Wednesday

 

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UN rights envoy to arrive in Myanmar Wednesday

 

 

 

GENEVA, March 18 (AFP) - UN human rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro was to

 

arrive in Myanmar on Wednesday for a week-long mission, the UN said on

 

Tuesday, a fortnight after he called for recognition of the changes taking

 

place in the military-ruled state.

 

 

 

The UN expert will probe the human rights situation, including what is

 

happening with political prisoners, and look at developments in the

 

administration of justice and basic political freedoms during his March 19-26

 

visit, a statement said.

 

 

 

He will also discuss with Myanmar authorities his proposal for an

 

independent assessment of allegations of human rights violations in ethnic

 

minority areas, including Shan State in northeast Myanmar.

 

 

 

Shan State is a sensitive region for Yangon due to simmering ethnic

 

rebellions.

 

 

 

It will be the UN special rapporteur's fifth visit to the country since

 

assuming his UN post in 2000, and follows an invitation by the government.

 

 

 

The trip coincides with the opening week of the annual six-week session of

 

the UN Human Rights Commission to which Pinheiro will present his preliminary

 

observations on his return.

 

 

 

Pinheiro also reiterated his call for countries to engage and not isolate

 

the country.

 

 

 

Western governments have imposed a raft of sanctions on Myanmar in efforts

 

to put pressure on the military rulers to make concessions to the democratic

 

opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

 

 

 

Last November, Pinheiro said in his meetings with top junta leaders in

 

Yangon he had emphasised his top priority was the release of some 1,200-1,300

 

political prisoners.

 

 

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With many thanks,

 

Burma News