"...Decades of military rule in Burma have prevented the rule of law from taking deep root during the country's post-colonial history. The concept of the rule of law suffered a particularly severe blow with the accession to power of the SLORC in the coup d'etat of 18 September 1988. Most of the laws passed since that date reveal a persistent disregard for internationally-recognized human rights norms. What is more, the few vestiges of constitutionalism and legality that remained at the time of the coup have been all but extinguished by this military government whose legitimacy to govern is highly questionable both under Burmese domestic law and international law...An indication of its lack of good faith is provided by the manner in which it has sought to force through proposals for constitutional reform which are designed to perpetuate military rule under the guise of democratic government. The National Convention, which it created without any mandate or consultation and whose working methods are so patently unfair and lacking in either transparency or legitimacy, bodes ill for the future of democracy and freedom in Burma. Urgent action is required to establish the rule of law, human rights and governmental accountability in Burma. Many of these recommendations have been made by the UN General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights in successive resolutions on Burma since 1990..." FOREWORD... INTRODUCTION... 1 INACCESSIBILITY AND VAGUENESS OF LAWS... 2 CONSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUND... 3 THE LEGITIMACY OF THE COUP D'ETAT OF 18 SEPTEMBER 1988... 4 THE SLORC'S REFUSAL TO TRANSFER POWER: 4.1 The Position Under International Law; 4.2 The Position Under Burmese Domestic Law... 5 THE MARTIAL LAW MEASURES AND THEIR COMPATIBILITY WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW: 5.1 Some General Considerations; 5.2 The Martial Law Measures: A Detailed Analysis; 5.2.1 The Right to Life; 5.2.2 Arbitrary Arrest and Detention; 5.2.3 Cruel and Inhuman Detention Conditions; 5.2.4 Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment; 5.2.5 Fair Trial Concerns; 5.2.6 Freedom of Expression; 5.2.7 Forced Relocations; 5.2.8 Forced Labour and Forced Portering; 5.2.9 Citizenship Rights; 5.2.10 Freedom of Movement, Assembly and Association; 5.2.11 Right to Democratic Participation; 5.2.12 Human Rights Violations against Children and Women; 5.3 Violations of International Humanitarian Law... 6 CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS: THE NATIONAL CONVENTION... 7 THE SLORC'S SENSITIVITY TO INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM... 8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.