¡¡¡¡YANGON, Sept. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The Myanmar military government Friday extended an invitation to Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights, to make an official visit to the country from Oct. 12 to 22 this year.

¡¡¡¡Government spokesman Hla Min said the invitation was made in response to the allegation of human rights abuses in the country'sShan state.

¡¡¡¡He added that "the government welcomes Professor Pinheiro for further cooperation and to witness the ongoing process with regardto human rights on behalf of all of Myanmar's citizens."

¡¡¡¡The invitation to Pinheiro for the inspection came after repeated calls made by United States congress members earlier thisweek for independent investigation into the allegations.

¡¡¡¡In July, in a report titled "License to Rape," two Thai-based Shan rights organizations accused the Myanmar armymen of committing sexual assaults on 625 girls and women between 1996 and2001.

¡¡¡¡However, the Myanmar military government has refuted the allegations, saying that they were politically motivated.

¡¡¡¡Pinheiro, a Brazilian, has visited Myanmar for three times since he was appointed as the UN rapporteur. He last visited the country in February this year. Enditem

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