The Chinese regime has turned down today a request by U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, to visit Tibet this month. The visit was meant to look into the deadly riotings in the region.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour made the request to visit Tibet two weeks ago, following reports of killings and mass arrests in the region. But the Chinese regime replied it is not convenient to them, and a later date has not been specified.

[Rupert Colville, Louise Arbour Spokesman]:
"They've said that's not convenient but they have said it's possible she could make a trip at a later date convenient for both her and the Chinese government."

Arbour, a former U.N. war crimes prosecutor and Canadian Supreme Court judge, announced she will leave office at the end of her four-year term on June 30. It is unclear wether the visit will be rescheduled before her end of term.