A United Nations human rights expert heads to Burma this week to investigate the military government's efforts to guarantee civil liberties and freedoms.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro will arrive in Burma Wednesday for a one-week visit.
UN officials say Mr. Pinheiro will examine such issues as the situation with Burmese political prisoners, the state of the country's justice system and the development of political and civil freedoms.
Mr. Pinheiro is also expected to discuss his proposal for an independent investigation into human rights violations in ethnic minority regions of Burma.