The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussain called on Myanmar’s government to condemn Buddhist monk Ashin Wirathu for the sexist insults directed at South Korea’s envoy to the country, Yanghee Lee, who had highlighted anti-Muslim sentiment.

Mr Wirathu of the notorious Buddhist nationalist 969 movement was slammed by Mr Zeid, who called the language employed by the monk as “sexist” and “incitement to hatred”.

"I call on religious and political leaders in Myanmar to unequivocally condemn all forms of incitement to hatred including this abhorrent public personal attack," Mr Zeid said in a statement.

Ms Lee had said the country’s Rohingya Muslims faced discrimination and criticised draft legislation, proposed by a coalition of nationalist Buddhist monks, which includes restrictions on interfaith marriage and religious conversions.

Last week the UN passed a resolution, calling on Myanmar to grant the Rohingya citizenship.

The monk criticised UN “interference” and attacked Ms Lee at a rally last Friday.

"We have explained about the race protection law, but the bitch criticised the laws without studying them properly," he said to the crowd.

"Don't assume that you are a respectable person because of your position. For us, you are a whore."

The 969 movement says Myanmar should remain a Buddhist country and calls for restrictions on Muslims.

Mr Wirathu has previously visited Sri Lanka and met with fellow Buddhist monks on the island. During the visit the 969 leader signed a deal with the Bodu Bala Sena, agreeing to work together to protect Buddhism.