UN human rights envoy renews Myanmar visit

YANGON - United Nations human rights envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana is due to arrive Nay Pyi Taw via Yangon later on Monday on a trip to Myanmar to further assess the human rights situation in the southeast Asian country, according to official sources.

It is Quintana's sixth visit to Myanmar since he was appointed as UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the country in March 2008 and the third since a new government was installed in Myanmar in March 2011.

During his six-day mission until August 4,  Quintana will meet government officials, lawmakers, judicial officials, advisers to the President, Central Peace-Making Group and the National Human Rights Commission, the sources said, adding that he will be arranged to visit Sittawy, capital of western Rakhine state, hit by sectarian riot in June along with Maungtaw.

He is also scheduled to meet Rakhine ethnic organizations in Yangon during the visit.

Quintana last visited the country in February, during which, he said, he witnessed positive impact in the country but adding that serious challenges remain and be addressed.

Quintana encouraged Myanmar to demonstrate concrete progress in improving its human rights situation, calling on the international community to remain engaged and support and assist the government during this important time, especially before its assumption of the chairpersonship of ASEAN in 2014.

Quintana presented his assessment report to the UN Human Rights Council in March and the next report to the General Assembly be in October.

During his February Myanmar visit, Quintana toured Kayin and Mon states where he also met with local government chiefs.