GENEVA, Switzerland, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The United Nations aims to assess the human rights situation in a politically reformed Myanmar first hand, a U.N. special envoy said.
Tomas Ojea Quintana, the U.N. special envoy on human rights in Myanmar, travels to the country Tuesday at the invitation of the government.
"We are all witnessing significant developments in Myanmar and this mission will take place at an important moment in the country's history," he said in a statement Monday. "My main objective is to assess the country's human rights situation in light of these developments and as a follow-up to my last mission in August 2011."
The country in 2010 had its first general election in nearly 20 years and released Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from years of house arrest. In mid-January, a truce was signed between government officials and the rebel Karen National Union in territory near the Thai border.
Quintana had said he hoped Myanmar's government would take additional steps by reaching out to other armed ethnic groups in the country.
The envoy, during his six-day visit, is to meet with government and civil leaders. It wasn't clear if he is to meet Suu Kyi during his trip.
