Senior UN official pressures Myanmar junta leader with rare visit

A senior UN official said Wednesday he urged Myanmar's military rulers to release political prisoners and halt executions. It was a rare high-profile visit at a time of escalating violence in the country.

Earlier last year, the military overthrew the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and launched a bloody crackdown on the ensuing peaceful protests and armed resistance. Since then, Myanmar has been in turmoil.

Noeleen Heyzer arrived in the capital Nay Pyi Taw late Tuesday and was greeted by foreign ministry officials after state media reported she met with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday. did.

"My visit is to convey the concerns of the United Nations and to propose concrete steps needed to alleviate conflict and suffering among people. It gives no legitimacy in any way," Hayser said in a statement released by the United Nations. Myanmar state television MRTV reported on Wednesday that the two had discussed relations between Myanmar and the United Nations, but did not elaborate.

Global condemnation has been directed at Myanmar's generals, most recently referring to attacks by militias seeking to fight military rule and avenge a deadly crackdown on protests, They say they executed four pro-democracy activists they said they supported "terrorist acts".

Myanmar courts have also sentenced political prisoners to lengthy prison sentences. Hazer's visit came a day after a court sentenced the country's exiled leader Aung San Suu Kyi to six years in prison on corruption charges.

According to a statement, Heyzer pressured Min Aung Hlaing to suspend future executions and release all political prisoners.

She also requested a meeting with Sue Chee, one of her advisers, Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was detained during the February 2021 coup. demanded the release of

I will have the opportunity to meet with her (Suu Kyi) as soon as possible…she is a key stakeholder in my dialogue with all concerned," Hazer said in a statement.

Myanmar's military spokesman Zaw Min Tung said at a press conference on Wednesday that no one would be allowed to meet with those facing criminal charges. (Reporting by Reuters Staff; Written by Kanupriya Kapoor and John Gedi; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Hugh Lawson)