A U.N. human rights investigator says Burma's military rulers are still holding more than 11-hundred political prisoners despite the release of 249 prisoners in July.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro said in a report to the U.N. General Assembly Wednesday that those detained on political grounds include monks, journalists, politicians and student leaders.
He expressed concern about the continued house arrest of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, and said her confinement runs counter to the spirit of national reconciliation.
He also said there are widespread reports that government forces continue to commit rights abuses against ethnic minorities, including forced labor and rape.
Mr. Pinheiro has not been allowed to visit Burma since 2003. He said his information is based on a variety of independent and reliable sources.
Information for this report is provided by AP and Reuters.
