Rangoon, Burma (BBN) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burma arrived here on Sunday to conduct his first mission to the country, diplomatic officials said.
During five-day visit, Tomás Ojea Quintana is expected to meet with representatives of ethnic groups, political parties, religious groups, civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
His schedule is expected to take him to Rangoon, the country’s commercial capital and areas affected by the devastating Cyclone Nargis in May, as well as to both Kayin state in the southeast and Rakhine state on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
“The Special Rapporteur wishes to engage in a constructive dialogue with the authorities with a view to improving the human rights situation of the people of Myanmar,” a U.N. statement said earlier.
Besides, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari also plans to visit Burma, officially known as Myanmar, next month after receiving a letter of invitation from the country’s authorities. This will be his fourth visit over the past year.
BBN/SI/SI/AD-04August08-2:19 AM
