A team from Amnesty International has arrived in Burma to examine the human rights situation in the military-ruled country.
The group says the two-person delegation, which arrived today (Tuesday), will push for the release of "prisoners of conscience" during meetings with government officials.
The London-based group has requested a meeting with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but has yet to receive permission.
Authorities arrested Ms. Suu Kyi and some of her colleagues in May. She remains under house arrest at her lakeside villa in the capital, Rangoon.
This marks Amnesty's second mission to the Southeast Asian country this year. On the first trip, in February, Amnesty representatives met with ministers, police, and prison officials in addition to Ms.Suu Kyi.
Burma's military government has welcomed the Amnesty missions--a move analysts say is meant to deflect international criticism over the country's human rights record.
The two-person delegation is scheduled to stay in the country for 17 days, until December 19th.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.