Yangon, 13 November 2007 - The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, traveled to the new capital,  Nay Pyi Taw, where he met H.E. Maj-Gen Maung Oo, Minister for Home Affairs.  The Special Rapporteur was given assurances that he will be able to interview detainees, before the end of his mission, as requested.

Mr. Pinheiro met with the twenty members of the newly established human rights body, within the government, and engaged in a dialogue on issues of mutual concern.  Mr. Pinheiro was then taken to the City Hall where he met with U Zaw Min, Joint Secretary General of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA). Later in the afternoon, the Special Rapporteur held a meeting with some representatives of international non-governmental organizations. At the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Special Rapporteur met with the Minister, H.E. Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung.   Then, Mr. Pinheiro resumed his day of meetings at the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development where he met Minister, H.E. U Soe Tha.  The Special Rapporteur will continue tomorrow with his schedule in Nay Pyi Taw. Mr. Pinheiro met with the twenty members of the newly established human rights body, within the government, and engaged in a dialogue on issues of mutual concern.

Mr. Pinheiro was then taken to the City Hall where he met with U Zaw Min, Joint Secretary General of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA).

Later in the afternoon, the Special Rapporteur held a meeting with some representatives of international non-governmental organizations.

At the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Special Rapporteur met with the Minister, H.E. Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung.   Then, Mr. Pinheiro resumed his day of meetings at the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development where he met Minister, H.E. U Soe Tha.

14 November, in the afternoon, the Special Rapporteur met with H. E. U Nyan Win, Minister for Foreign Affairs and H.E. U Aung Kyi, Minister for Labour and Minister for Relations, who is liaising with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  Later, he met with Minister for Information, H.E. Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, who, in his capacity as the Secretary of the National Convention Convening Commission, informed the Special Rapporteur about developments regarding the Seven-Step Road Map towards democracy.

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 Special Rapporteur will return to Yangon tomorrow where he will end his five-day visit to Myanmar .