UN rights chief slates Burma election

United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay said on Friday that Burma had failed so far to meet international standards for “genuine elections”, 10 days ahead of the poll.

“On 7 November the electoral process will culminate in voting and counting at polling stations around most of the country,” the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.

“However, conditions for genuine elections that meet international standards have so far not been reached,” she added.

Pillay reiterated calls by the UN for the release more than 2 000 political prisoners, and for the military junta to respected freedom of assembly and expression.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday that it was not too late for a “credible, democratic” transition, ahead of the much-criticised November 7 election.—AFP