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UN envoy plans Burma prison talks UN envoy visits Burma prisoners
(about 5 hours later)
A UN human rights envoy is hoping to meet political prisoners in Burma on the final day of his visit to the military-ruled nation. A UN human rights envoy has visited prominent political activists held at Burma's notorious Insein jail before departing the military-ruled nation.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro is spending five days in Burma investigating the ruling junta's bloody crackdown following September's anti-government protests. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro said the detainees included Labour activist Su Su Nway, who was arrested on Tuesday.
Officials said he wanted to interview detainees at Rangoon's notorious Insein jail, which he also visited on Monday. Mr Pinheiro is investigating allegations of widespread abuse during the ruling junta's crackdown following September's anti-government protests.
Earlier, the UN envoy met senior officials in the capital, Naypyidaw. His five-day mission was to determine the numbers detained or killed.
According to a UN statement, he held talks with both the foreign and information ministers, and reiterated a request for broader access. Speaking at a news conference at Rangoon's airport, Mr Pinheiro said he also held talks with journalist Win Tin, who has been held since 1989 and is now in his late 70s.
"While thanking the authorities for the wide range of meetings with government officials, the special rapporteur renewed to the authorities his request to be given access to other non-government interlocutors," the statement said. He said he was also permitted to meet members of the 88 Generation Students group, who have been active in non-violent anti-government protests in recent years.
The UN envoy did not given any details of the conversations.
The visit followed talks with the foreign and information ministers in the capital, Naypyidaw, where Mr Pinheiro reiterated a request for broader access.
"While thanking the authorities for the wide range of meetings with government officials, the special rapporteur renewed to the authorities his request to be given access to other non-government interlocutors," a UN statement said.
More arrestsMore arrests
Mr Pinheiro is making his first visit to Burma since 2003. The junta allowed him to return in an apparent concession to the international community, which had been critical of the generals' handling of September's protests.Mr Pinheiro is making his first visit to Burma since 2003. The junta allowed him to return in an apparent concession to the international community, which had been critical of the generals' handling of September's protests.
The military says 10 people died in the crackdown on demonstrators, but diplomats fear the toll was far higher. Hundreds of people are thought to be in detention. The military says 10 people died in the crackdown on demonstrators, but diplomats fear the toll was far higher.
Hundreds of people are thought to be in custody. However, the government says it has released most of the 3,000 activists who were initially detained.
There have also been reports of more arrests in recent days.There have also been reports of more arrests in recent days.
On Tuesday, prominent activist Su Su Nway was detained as she handed out leaflets, and three more arrests were reported on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Su Su Nway was detained as she handed out leaflets, and three more arrests were reported on Wednesday.
Charles Petrie, the top UN representative in Burma, told the French news agency AFP that Mr Pinheiro was aware of Su Su Nway's arrest and had "expressed his concern".
Diplomats are divided on whether the international pressure on Burma is working.Diplomats are divided on whether the international pressure on Burma is working.
On Tuesday the UN's special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, told the Security Council that his recent visit had achieved "positive outcomes".On Tuesday the UN's special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, told the Security Council that his recent visit had achieved "positive outcomes".
He said he was hopeful that a process of genuine dialogue between the military and the pro-democracy movement would emerge.He said he was hopeful that a process of genuine dialogue between the military and the pro-democracy movement would emerge.
But others were more sceptical.But others were more sceptical.
US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, said he did not believe that "a fundamental shift has occurred in the regime's attitude to embrace substantive reconciliation and transition to democracy".US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, said he did not believe that "a fundamental shift has occurred in the regime's attitude to embrace substantive reconciliation and transition to democracy".