The new United Nations human rights chief said he is in talks with China about visiting Tibet, where Beijing is accused of tightly restricting traditional culture and religion.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein noted that China agreed to such a visit last year during a periodic U.N. review of its rights record.
Zeid said he had spoken with Chinese officials about a "multi-day visit," adding that he assumed he would be able to "move around" during the proposed trip.
China denies violating the human rights of Tibetans, saying its half-century of rule in Tibet has helped develop the area economically.
133 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest China's repressive policy towards Tibetans since 2009.
Most left messages or told others that they were doing so to protest Beijing's rule over Tibet and to call for the return of the Dalai Lama.