UN says Myanmar agrees to rights visit

The ruling generals in Myanmar have agreed to the first visit by the UN’s top human rights official in four years, the United Nations said on Monday.

The announcement comes in the aftermath of a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that left at least 13 people dead and intensified international criticism of the military junta.

The junta agreed to a visit by Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the UN special rapporteur on human rights, and suggested that it take place before a regional summit in Singapore next month, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said.

The UN’s top envoy on Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, is also scheduled for a return visit to the country next month amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts to put pressure on the junta.

New York, Tues day, AFP