The Burmese president Thein Sein is due to visit the UK and will meet British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Thein Sein will discuss trade, aid, democracy and human rights with the PM, but human rights organisations have urged Cameron to raise concerns about continuing violence against Muslims and repressive laws.
"Cameron should not miss an important opportunity to press Burma's president on justice for crimes against humanity committed against the country's Muslims, the release of remaining political prisoners, or an end to repressive laws," Human Rights Watch said.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said that Britain would press Burma to improve humanitarian access, address accountability for crimes and to end discrimination against the Rohingya.
"We want to recognise the remarkable reforms of the last 18 months but also to raise at the highest levels our ongoing concerns, particularly about inter-communal and anti-Muslim violence," he said.