For immediate release: October 24, 2007

The AAPP has learned that Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, will visit Burma before mid-November.

The military regime in Burma would like the world to believe that it is showing cooperation with the United Nations by allowing Mr. Pinheiro to visit Burma. The AAPP is concerned that this is yet another of the regime’s tricks, and calls on Mr. Pinheiro to use this opportunity to demand access to those detained during the crackdown in late September.

Mr. Pinheiro must be allowed to visit those monasteries which have been raided and the many detention centers and prisons in which detainees are being held. He must be able to meet with detainees, as well as with those who have recently been released. Those who meet with Mr. Pinheiro must be ensured that they will not be re-arrested, tortured or face any undue punishment from the military regime as a result of their meeting.

Further, there is a need for the UN to establish a mechanism in the country whereby those who have endured human rights violations resulting from the crackdown can report their case. Those who report to the UN must be adequately protected.

It is important to note that the crackdown in Burma continues. The Burmese people are living in a state of fear, with ongoing arrests and torture. The AAPP believes that Mr. Pinheiro must be insistent that he be allowed to meet with detainees. Failure to have access to detainees would mean that Mr. Pinheiro is unable to conduct any meaningful investigation into the human rights violations that have occurred in Burma. It would mean the SPDC yet again managed to trick the world. ###

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

For more information:
Contact: Ko Tate Naing – 66-81-2878751
Ko Bo Kyi – 66-81-3248935