UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar said Wednesday he saw significant setbacks in the country's human rights situation since a March visit.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro reported to a General Assembly committee he has gathered significant evidence that the connivance of state agents was apparently in a May 30 violent incident at Depayin that led to many arrests, including that of National League for Democracy leader, Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi/
Pinheiro said, "What happened at Depayin has deep political implications and constitutes a regression in the area of human rights."
A Myanmar representative, however, said if the NLD had traveled under proper security arrangements, the incident would not have taken place.
Pinheiro said he had conducted interviews with victims and witnesses, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and with the authorities.
The rapporteur called for the unconditional release of all who had been detained or put under house arrest, a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident and compensation to those who were injured and to the families of those who were killed.
