The United Nations human rights envoy to Myanmar said on Friday the military government's treatment of political prisoners has improved and called for the world to forge a "principled" engagement with the regime. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who this week ended a 10-day trip to Myanmar, said political prisoners languishing in its jails -- thought to number more than 1,500 -- have been better treated since Red Cross visits began two years ago.
"My impression is that there's no abuse against the prisoners I interviewed," Pinheiro told reporters in Bangkok.

"There were problems in the past, but not at present."
In his third visit to Myanmar, which is desperate for greater international legitimacy and aid, trade and investment, Pinheiro finished a report on the human rights situation and tried to persuade the ruling generals to free more political prisoners. Bureau Report