Rights envoy visits Myanmar jail
UN rights investigator begins probe into crackdown on anti-government protests.
On Monday Pinheiro spent at least two hours in Insein jail, a facility that has held scores of political prisoners in recent years.
Former inmates have described torture, poor conditions and long stretches in solitary confinement during their time in the jail.
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“Until the generals’ military hardware is crumbled, they won’t listen to anyone” Oomlwin, Yangon, Myanmar |
The UN has given no details of the visit.
Also on Monday Pinheiro visited a Buddhist monastery raided by troops during September’s crackdown on anti-government protests.
Pinheiro also met with officials at the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Home Affairs Ministry where he discussed his proposed visits to prisons.
A proposed itinerary was given to Myanmar‘s military rulers before the visit began on Sunday, but it was still being “fine-tuned,” said Aye Win, the UN spokesman in Myanmar.
Pinheiro has a history of difficult relations with Myanmar‘s ruling generals and has not visited the country in four years.
He abruptly cut short a visit in March 2003 after finding a listening device in a prison room where he was interviewing political detainees.
He has been barred from the country since November 2003.