Myanmar okays visa for human rights expert

The outgoing UN expert on human rights in Myanmar yesterday said he is being granted a visa by the country's military rulers to see what progress has been made since his last visit in November.
"I have good news for you... Today the visa has been issued and my passport will be returned this afternoon," special rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro told journalists in Geneva. "That's a wonderful surprise."
News of the visa came mid-way through a press conference at which Pinheiro elaborated on his report this week to the Human Rights Council which was sharply critical of Myanmar.
Pinheiro, a Brazilian diplomat and legal scholar, said he did not know when he would go to Myanmar, or whether he would prepare a new report -- given that his seven-year mandate expires this month.