United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, meets authorities in Yangon

Yangon, 12 November 2007 - The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, held consultations this morning with senior officials from, among others, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Law Enforcement, the Yangon Peace and Development Council and the Yangon General Hospital. Later, he met with the senior abbots of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (the State Governing Body of the Buddhist Clergy). Mr. Pinheiro later visited two monasteries involved in the recent demonstrations.

Mr. Pinheiro visited the former Government Technical College, where he met with the personnel in charge of the detainees held there during the days of the demonstrations. He also met with the security forces from the No. (7) Police Battalion Control Command Headquarters in Kyauktan, Thanlyin, where some people had been held. The Special Rapporteur also visited the Insein Jail. He is expecting to interview detainees before the end of his mission and receive further details on their records.

The Special Rapporteur is expected to travel to Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday.