Tomás Ojea Quintana

Myanmar human rights situation "challenging," admits UN envoy

Tomas Ojea QuintanaYangon - Myanmar's human rights situation remains "challenging," United Nations Special Human Rights Envoy Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana concluded Thursday, winding up a six-day visit to the junta-ruled nation.

The junta refused to allow Quintana to meet with either Aung San Suu Kyi, the longstanding leader of the opposition, or Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Than Shwe during the trip.

"The human rights situation in Myanmar is still challenging," Quintana said shortly before departing the country late Thursday night.

UN human rights envoy visits Myanmar prisons

Tomas Ojea QuintanaYangon - United Nations special rapporteur for human rights, Tomas Ojea Quintana, was allowed to visit Yangon's notorious Insein prison Monday, security sources confirmed.

Quintana, who arrived in Myanmar Saturday, travelled to the Karen State on Sunday where he visited Hpa-An prison, where a 28 year-old Burmese blogger named Nay Phone Latt is serving a 20-year prison term, according to sources who asked for anonymity.

Upon his return to Yangon on Monday, Quintana met with foreign diplomats and then went to Insein prison, where hundreds of political prisoners of the military-ruled state are being held.

UN envoy to discuss human rights in Myanmar

UN envoy to discuss human rights in Myanmar New York  - A United Nations rapporteur is scheduled to visit Myanmar next week to discuss human rights concerns, it was announced Thursday.

The UN rapporteur for human rights, Tomás Ojea Quintana, will be in Myanmar, formerly Burma, from Sunday to Thursday for a first visit to the country ruled by the military for more than four decades, and which has not considered human rights issues a top priority.