The World-Wide Web Virtual Library [WWW VL database || WWW VL search]

Online Burma/Myanmar Library Full-Text Search | Database Search | What's New | Alphabetical List of Subjects | Main Library | Reading Room | Burma Press Summary

Home > Main Library > Human Rights > Various Rights > Various rights: reports of violations in Burma > US State Dept. - reports on human rights in Burma

Order links by: Reverse Date Title

US State Dept. - reports on human rights in Burma Websites/Multiple Documents Title:   US State Dept. Information on Burma Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Dept. of State Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   18 November 2010 Title:   US State Dept: Semi-Annual Reports to Congress on Conditions in Burma and US Policy Towards Burma Description/subject:   Reports from 1997-2000 Language:   English Source/publisher:   Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs U.S. Department of State Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   USA: US State Dept, human rights page Description/subject:   Links to the annual country reports on human rights Language:   English Source/publisher:   US State Dept, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   15 March 2008 Individual Documents Title:   Documentation of Atrocities in Northern Rakhine State Date of publication:   August 2018 Description/subject:   The document was originally completed in August 2018 but issued on 24 September 2018...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: "The Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), with funding support from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), conducted a survey in spring 2018 of the firsthand experiences of 1,024 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh. The goal of the survey was to document atrocities committed against residents in Burma’s northern Rakhine State during the course of violence in the previous two years. The survey used a representative sample of refugee camp populations to provide insights into the violence they witnessed. Any hearsay testimony was not recorded. Survey results reveal the pattern of events refugees experienced. There may be cases when multiple refugees reported witnessing the same event, so the percentages from this survey should not be extrapolated to come up with a definitive overall number of events. The National GeospatialIntelligence Agency (NGA) worked with INR to map and analyze the resulting data (see Map 1). The results of the survey show that the vast majority of Rohingya refugees experienced or directly witnessed extreme violence and the destruction of their homes. They identified the Burmese military as a perpetrator in most cases. • Most witnessed a killing, two-thirds witnessed an injury, and half witnessed sexual violence (see Figure 1). • Rohingya identified the Burmese military as a perpetrator in 84% of the killings or injuries they witnessed. • Three-quarters say they saw members of the army kill someone; the same proportion say they witnessed the army destroying huts or whole villages. Police, unidentified security forces, and armed civilians carried out the rest of the observed killings. • One-fifth of all respondents witnessed a mass-casualty event of killings or injuries (either in their villages or as they fled) with more than 100 victims. 1 The two main phases of violence—the first in October 2016 and the second beginning in August 2017—followed attacks against Burmese security forces by the Rohingya insurgent group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). The vast majority of reported incidents against Rohingya took place from August to October 2017. The survey shows that the military, which used the ARSA attacks to justify its so-called counterinsurgency operations in northern Rakhine State, targeted civilians indiscriminately and often with extreme brutality. • Forty-five percent of refugees witnessed a rape, and the majority of rapes witnessed were committed, in whole or in part, by the army. Overall, nearly 40% of refugees saw a rape committed by members of the Burmese security services—either police or military— including 18% who saw them commit a gang rape. • Members of the security services, as well as non-Rohingya civilians in some cases, targeted children and pregnant women. • Those who were left behind because they were elderly, sick, or otherwise infirm were frequently found dead when their relatives returned to check on them. The survey reveals that the recent violence in northern Rakhine State was extreme, large-scale, widespread, and seemingly geared toward both terrorizing the population and driving out the Rohingya residents. The scope and scale of the military’s operations indicate they were wellplanned and coordinated. In some areas, perpetrators used tactics that resulted in mass casualties, for example, locking people in houses to burn them, fencing off entire villages before shooting into the crowd, or sinking boats full of hundreds of fleeing Rohingya." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Dept. of State Format/size:   html, pdf (727K) Alternate URLs:   https://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/286063.htm Date of entry/update:   28 September 2018 Title:   BURMA 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT Date of publication:   21 April 2018 Description/subject:   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: "Burma has a quasi- parliamentary system of government in which the national parliament selects the president and c onstitutional provisions grant one -quarter of parliamentary seats to active duty military appointees. The military also has the authority to appoint the ministers of defense, home affairs, and border affairs and one of two vice presidents, as well as to assume power over all branches of the government should the president declare a national state of emergency. In 2015 the country held nationwide parliamentary elections that the public widely accepted as a credible reflection of the will of the people. In 2016 parliament selected National League for Democracy ( NLD) member Htin Kyaw as president and created the position of S tate Counse llor for NLD party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, formalizing her position as the civilian government’ s de facto leader. Under the constitution, civilian authorities have no authority over the security forces; armed forces Commander -in -Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing maintain ed effective control over the security forces. Ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya minority in Rakhine State occurred during the year. In early August some security forces deployed throughout northern Rakhine State, committing enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests and displacing villagers, the majority of whom were Rohingya . On August 25, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) claimed responsibility for coordinated attack s against 30 security outposts in northern Rakhine State , killing 12 security personnel. Augmented security forces, as well as local vigilante groups acti ng independently or in concert with security forces, then reportedly committed widespread atrocities against Rohingya villagers, including extrajudicial killings , disappearances, rape, torture, arbitrary arrest, and burning of tens of thousands of homes an d some religious structures and other buildings . Th is displaced more than 655,000 Rohingya to neighboring Bangladesh as of December , as well as an unknown number within Rakhine State , and more than 20,000 villagers from other ethnic groups, many of whom were evacuated by the security forces. In addition to the atrocities in Rakhine State , the most significant human rights issues included: arbitrary or unlawful killings; politically motivated arrests; authorities’ hum an rights violations against civilians in other ethnic minority areas and conflict zones, particularly in Kachin State and Shan State ; continued harsh conditions in prisons and labor camps; restrictions on freedom of speech, BURMA 2 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor assembly, and association, including intimidation and arres t of journalists; restrictions on freedom of religion; continued statelessness for some populations and severe restrictions on freedom of movement ; criminaliz ation of same -sex sexual activities, although the law was rarely enforced; and trafficking in pers ons, including forced labor of adults and children. Although the government took some limited actions to prosecute or punish officials responsible for abuses, the vast majority of such abuses continued with impunity. Some nonstate groups committed human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, forced labor of adults and children , and failure to protect civilians in conflict zones" Language:   English Source/publisher:   [US] Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Format/size:   pdf (286K) Alternate URLs:   https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277313.pdf Date of entry/update:   21 April 2018 Title:   Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016 - Burma Date of publication:   03 March 2017 Description/subject:   "Burma has a quasi-parliamentary system of government in which the national parliament selects the president, and constitutional provisions grant one-quarter of national, regional, and state parliamentary seats to active duty military appointees; all other seats are open to elections. The military also has the authority to appoint the ministers of defense, home affairs, and border affairs and assume power indefinitely over all branches of the government should the president declare a national state of emergency. In November 2015 the country held nationwide parliamentary elections that the public widely accepted as a credible reflection of the will of the people. The then opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), chaired by Aung San Suu Kyi, won 390 of 491 contested seats in the bicameral parliament. Parliament elected NLD member U Htin Kyaw as president in March and created the position of State Counsellor for Aung San Suu Kyi in April, cementing her position as the country’s de facto leader. Civilian authorities did not maintain effective control over the security forces. In March the NLD government began its five-year governing term and, beginning in April, released hundreds of political prisoners. During the year civil society noted a sharp and significant, but by no means complete, improvement in their rights to freedom of speech and assembly. The three leading human rights problems in the country were human rights violations in ethnic minority areas affected by conflict, restrictions on freedoms of speech, and abuses against and restrictions on members of the Rohingya population. Authorities failed to protect civilians in conflict zones from killing, gross abuses, and displacement, but took some preliminary steps to address reports of abuses. While authorities returned approximately 20,000 Rohingya and other Muslim households displaced in 2012 communal violence to their locations of origin inside Rakhine State, more than 120,000 remained displaced in camps. An additional estimated 30,000 civilians were displaced due to the government’s security operations beginning in October in response to attacks by militants on Border Guard Police posts in Maungdaw, northern Rakhine State..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   [US] Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Format/size:   html, pdf (240K-reduced version; 542K-original) Alternate URLs:   http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs23/USDOS-Country-rep2016-Burma-red.pdf https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/265536.pdf Date of entry/update:   25 April 2017 Title:   BURMA 2015 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT Date of publication:   13 April 2016 Description/subject:   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: "Burma has a quasi-parliamentary system of government in which national parliament selects the president and constitutional provisions grant one-quarter of national, regional, and state parliamentary seats to active-duty military appointees. The military also has the authority to appoint the ministers of defense, home affairs, and border affairs and indefinitely assume power over all branches of the government should the president declare a national state of emergency. On November 8, the country held nationwide parliamentary elections that the public widely accepted as a credible reflection of the will of the people, despite some structural flaws. The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party, chaired by Aung San Suu Kyi, won 390 of 491 contested seats in the bicameral parliament. Civilian authorities did not maintain effective control over the security forces. The three leading human rights problems in the country were restrictions on freedoms of speech, association, and assembly; human rights violations in ethnic minority areas affected by conflict; and restrictions on members of the Rohingya population. Arrests of students, land rights activists, and individuals in connection with the exercise of free speech and assembly continued throughout the year, and the excessive sentencing of many of these individuals after prolonged trial diminished trust in the judicial system. Mass displacement and gross human rights abuses took place in ethnic areas with renewed clashes, and the government took marginal steps to address reports of abuses. The government did little to address the root causes of human rights abuses, statelessness, violence, and discrimination against Rohingya. The government disenfranchised many Rohingya who voted in previous elections and rejected almost all Rohingya and many Muslim candidates from contesting in the November 8 elections. While authorities started to return thousands of displaced Rohingya and other Muslim households to their locations of origin inside Rakhine State, more than 130,000 such persons remained displaced in camps. Other significant human rights problems persisted, including rape and sexual violence, forced labor, politically motivated arrests, excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators, widespread corruption, land-related conflict, and intimidation and occasional arrests of journalists. Authorities failed to protect civilians in conflict zones from killing, gross abuses, and displacement. Conditions in prisons and labor camps were harsh but in general not life threatening. The government adopted four laws purportedly to protect race and religion but that could be enforced in a manner that discriminates against racial and religious minorities. The military released 146 child soldiers during the year, although some reports of recruitment and use of child soldiers continued. Trafficking in persons, including forced labor of adults and children, continued. Although the government took some limited actions to prosecute or punish officials responsible for abuses, abuses by government actors and security officials generally continued with impunity. Some ethnic armed groups committed human rights abuses, including forced labor of adults and children and recruitment of child soldiers, and failed to protect civilians in conflict zones" Language:   English Source/publisher:   United States Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Format/size:   pdf (300K-reduced version; 576K-original) Alternate URLs:   http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs22/USDOS-Country-rep2015-Burma.pdf http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/252963.pdf Date of entry/update:   19 April 2016 Title:   Atrocities Prevention Report - Targeting of and Attacks on Members of Religious Groups in the Middle East and Burma Date of publication:   17 March 2016 Description/subject:   The Situation in Burma: "The situation in Rakhine State is grim, in part due to a mix of long-term historical tensions between the Rakhine and Rohingya communities, socio-political conflict, socio-economic underdevelopment, and a long-standing marginalization of both Rakhine and Rohingya by the Government of Burma. The World Bank estimates Rakhine State has the highest poverty rate in Burma (78 percent) and is the poorest state in the country. The lack of investment by the central government has resulted in poor infrastructure and inferior social services, while lack of rule of law has led to inadequate security conditions..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Department of State Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   30 April 2016 Title:   US State Dept BURMA 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT Date of publication:   25 June 2015 Description/subject:   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Burma's parliamentary government is headed by President Thein Sein. In 2012 the country held largely transparent and inclusive by-elections in which the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party, chaired by Aung San Suu Kyi, won 43 of 45 contested seats of a total 664 seats in the legislature. Constitutional provisions grant one-quarter of all national and one-third of all regional and state parliamentary seats to active- duty military appointees and provide that the military indefinitely assume power over all branches of the government should the president declare a national state of emergency. The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) continued to hold an overwhelming majority of the seats in the national parliament and state and regional assemblies, and active-duty military officers continued to wield authority at many levels of government. There is no civilian control of the military; police forces also report to the military through the minister of home affairs. Human rights abuses in Rakhine State remained a severely troubling counterpoint to the broader trend of progress since 2011, including the 2012 release of political prisoners, efforts to improve prison conditions, and continuing negotiations to pursue a durable ceasefire. In Rakhine State, the central and local governments severely restricted humanitarian access and did little to address the root causes of violence and discrimination. The government did not establish a fair process for granting access to full citizenship rights on an equal, nondiscriminatory basis to stateless Rohingya. Authorities in Rakhine State made no meaningful efforts to help Rohingya and other Muslim minority persons displaced by violence to return to their homes and continued to enforce draconian restrictions on their movement. As a result, more than 140,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) remained interned in camps, which further entrenched the segregation of the Rohingya and Rakhine communities and left them vulnerable to abuse and extortion in their dealings with authorities. Government security forces allegedly were responsible for cases of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, torture and mistreatment in detention, and systematic denial of due process and fair trial rights, overwhelmingly perpetrated against Rohingya, but fewer allegations were reported than in previous years. In November more than 16,000 Rohingya fled by boat in the span of only two weeks, largely facilitated by military and security forces and criminal smugglers and traffickers. Since 2012 more than 100,000 Rohingya reportedly have fled Rakhine State. Other significant human rights problems persisted throughout the country, particularly in conflict areas, including rape and sexual violence; politically motivated arrests and an overall lack of rule of law, resulting in corruption and widespread land confiscation without adequate compensation or recourse to the law; arrests of journalists; and restrictions on media freedom. Authorities failed to protect civilians in conflict zones. The government reportedly abused some prisoners and detainees. Prison conditions were harsh but in general no longer life-threatening; conditions in labor camps continued to be harsh and in some areas life-threatening. A number of laws restricting freedoms of speech, press, assembly, religion, and movement remained, and authorities continued to enforce them. Local authorities arbitrarily enforced regulations that obstructed political gatherings. Although recruitment and use of child soldiers continued, the military released 552 child soldiers after the government signed a joint action plan with the United Nations in June 2012, indicating an accelerated effort to end this practice. Discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities and stateless persons continued, as did trafficking in persons. Forced labor, including that of children, persisted, although to a lesser degree than in the past. The government took some limited actions to prosecute or punish citizens responsible for abuses, although abuses by government actors and security officials continued with impunity. Some ethnic armed groups allegedly committed human rights abuses, including forced labor of adults and children and recruitment of child soldiers, and failed to protect civilians in conflict zones. Language:   English Source/publisher:   United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Format/size:   pdf (275K) Alternate URLs:   http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs21/USDOS-Country-rep2014-Burma.pdf Date of entry/update:   04 July 2015 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2013 Date of publication:   27 February 2014 Description/subject:   "...During the year the government’s human rights record continued to improve, although authorities had not fully or consistently implemented legal and policy revisions at all levels, particularly in ethnic-minority areas. Observers reported marked decreases in systemic human rights abuses committed by the government, such as torture, disappearances, and the forced use of civilians to carry military supplies in some ethnic border areas. On February 6, President Thein Sein announced the formation of a committee to identify and release political prisoners. By December 31, the committee had identified and released an estimated 330 political prisoners, bringing the total number of political prisoners released since reforms began to more than 1,100. In addition, in January the government allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to all of the country’s prisons and labor camps. The government also took significant steps to combat corruption, including the passage of anticorruption legislation, firing of six high-ranking government officials for mismanagement or corruption, and taking administrative action against corrupt civil servants. The continuing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Rakhine State was the most troubling exception – and threat – to the country’s progress during the year. Although the government provided some short-term humanitarian support to affected populations, it did little to address the root causes of the violence or to fulfill its 2012 pledge to take steps to provide a path for citizenship for the Rohingya population. Authorities in Rakhine State made no meaningful efforts to help Rohingya and other Muslim minority people displaced by violence to return to their homes and continued to enforce disproportionate restrictions on their movement. As a result, tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) remained confined in camps and commonly were prevented by security forces from exiting in order to gain access to livelihoods, markets, food, places of worship, and other services. This policy further entrenched the increasingly permanent segregation of the Rohingya and Rakhine communities. There were credible reports of extrajudicial killings, rape and sexual violence, arbitrary detentions and torture and mistreatment in detention, deaths in custody, and systematic denial of due process and fair trial rights, overwhelmingly perpetrated against the Rohingya. There were reports of local and state government and security officials, acting in conjunction with Rakhine and Rohingya criminal elements, smuggling and trafficking thousands of Rohingya out of the country, often for profit. In July the government disbanded the NaSaKa – the notorious security force responsible for gross human rights violations – in an effort to begin addressing the situation; however, no security or government officials were investigated or held to account. At year’s end an estimated 140,000 persons remained displaced in Rakhine State. Meanwhile, attacks on Muslim minorities spread to other parts of the country at various points throughout the year..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Department of State (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) Format/size:   pdf (249K) Alternate URLs:   http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2013&dlid=220182 - See more at: http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper Date of entry/update:   28 February 2014 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2012 Date of publication:   19 April 2013 Description/subject:   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: "Burma’s parliamentary government is headed by President Thein Sein. On April 1, the country held largely transparent and inclusive by-elections in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, chaired by Aung San Suu Kyi, won 43 of 45 contested seats out of a total 664 seats in the legislature. The by-elections contrasted sharply with the 2010 general elections, which were neither free nor fair. The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) continued to hold an overwhelming majority of the seats in the national parliament and state/regional assemblies, and active-duty military officers continued to wield authority at each level of government. Military security forces reported to military channels, and civilian security forces, such as the police, reported to a nominally civilian ministry headed by an active-duty military general. In 2012 the government’s continued reform efforts resulted in significant human rights improvements, although legal and policy revisions had yet to be implemented fully or consistently at the local level, particularly in ethnic nationality areas. On January 13, President Thein Sein released an estimated 300 political prisoners, including top figures of the prodemocracy movement and all imprisoned journalists, and amnestied an estimated 140 political prisoners in subsequent releases, though none of the 2012 releases were unconditional. The government eased longstanding restrictions imposed on its citizens, including by relaxing censorship laws governing the media, expanding labor rights and criminalizing forced labor, and returning professional licenses to practice law for the majority of lawyers who had been disbarred for political activities or for their representation of political activists. The government also eased restrictions on dissidents both from within and outside the country, including removal of more than 2,000 names from a government blacklist of persons barred from entering or leaving the country based on their suspected political activity. An outbreak of communal violence in June between predominantly Buddhist Rakhine and predominantly Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine State claimed the lives of an estimated 100 civilians and displaced tens of thousands before the central government reestablished calm. Violence broke out again in October and resulted in deaths estimated to exceed 100 and the burning of more than 3,000 houses in predominantly Rohingya villages. The central government took positive steps by deploying security forces to suppress violence, granting the international community access to the conflict areas, forming an investigative commission into the causes of the violence, and engaging international experts on reconciliation. Intercommunal tensions remained high. At the end of the year, there were more than 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) resulting from the violence in Rakhine State. The Burma Army escalated the use of force against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in December, including through the use of air power. In July the government stopped issuing travel permission for UN humanitarian aid convoys to travel to Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)-controlled areas, effectively cutting off an estimated 40,000 IDPs from access to international humanitarian assistance. Local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) were generally able to access these populations during this period. KIA forces allegedly destroyed civilian infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and trains, and targeted attacks on police officials in Kachin State. Significant human rights problems in the country persisted, including conflict-related abuses in ethnic minority border states; abuse of prisoners, continued detention of more than 200 political prisoners and restrictions on released political prisoners; and a general lack of rule of law resulting in corruption and the deprivation of land and livelihoods. Government security forces were allegedly responsible for cases of extrajudicial killings, rape, and torture. The government abused some prisoners and detainees, held some persons in harsh and life-threatening conditions, and failed to protect civilians in conflict zones. The government undertook some legal reforms during the year, and in practice restrictions on the exercise of a variety of human rights lessened markedly, if unevenly and unreliably, compared to past years. Nevertheless, a number of laws restricting freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement remained. The government allowed for greater expression by civil society, and NGOs were able to operate more openly than in previous years; however, the mandatory registration process for NGOs remained cumbersome and nontransparent. The government signed an action plan with the UN to end illegal child soldiers. Though there were several well publicized demobilizations of child soldiers during the year, recruitment of child soldiers continued. Discrimination against ethnic minorities and stateless persons continued, as did trafficking in persons--particularly of women and girls--although the government took actions to combat this problem. Forced labor, including that of children, persisted. The government generally did not take action to prosecute or punish those responsible for human rights abuses, with a few isolated exceptions. Abuses continued with impunity. Ethnic armed groups also committed human rights abuses, including forced labor and recruitment of child soldiers, and failed to protect civilians in conflict zones" Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Department of State (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) Format/size:   pdf (207K) Alternate URLs:   http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/USDOS-Country-rep2012-Burma.pdf Date of entry/update:   02 May 2013 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2011 Date of publication:   25 May 2012 Description/subject:   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: "Burma’s government is headed by President Thein Sein; the military-run State Peace and Development Council was officially dissolved in 2011, although former and active military officers continued to wield authority at each level of government. In November 2010 the then-military regime held the country’s first parliamentary elections since 1990, which were neither free nor fair. The government’s main party, the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), claimed an overwhelming majority of seats in the national parliament and state/regional assemblies. Military security forces report to military channels, and civilian security forces, such as the police, report to a nominally civilian ministry headed by an active-duty military general. Significant developments during the year included the emergence of a legislature that allowed opposition parties to contribute substantively to debates; democratic reforms such as the amendment of laws allowing opposition parties to register and Aung San Suu Kyi to announce her bid for Parliament; the release of hundreds of political prisoners; the relaxation of a number of censorship controls, the opening of some space in society for the expression of dissent; and an easing of restrictions on some internal and foreign travel for citizens. Significant human rights problems in the country persisted, including military attacks against ethnic minorities in border states, which resulted in civilian deaths, forced relocations, sexual violence, and other serious abuses. The government also continued to detain hundreds of political prisoners. Abuses of prisoners continued, including the alleged transfer of civilian prisoners to military units. These units reportedly were often engaged in armed conflict in the border areas where they were forced to carry supplies, clear mines, and serve as human shields. Government security forces were responsible for extrajudicial killings, rape, and torture. The government detained civic activists indefinitely and without charges. The government abused some prisoners and detainees, held persons in harsh and life-threatening conditions, routinely used incommunicado detention, and imprisoned citizens arbitrarily for political motives. The government infringed on citizens’ privacy and restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement. The government impeded the work of many domestic human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). International NGOs continued to encounter a difficult--although somewhat improved--environment. Recruitment of child soldiers, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and trafficking in persons--particularly of women and girls--continued. Forced labor, including that of children, persisted. The government generally did not take action to prosecute or punish those responsible for human rights abuses, with a few isolated exceptions. Abuses continued with impunity. Rampant corruption and the absence of due process undermined the rule of law. Ethnic armed groups also committed human rights abuses, including forced labor and recruitment of child soldiers. Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Department of State (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) Format/size:   pdf (193K-OBLversion; 166K-original) Alternate URLs:   http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/186475.pdf Date of entry/update:   25 May 2012 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2010 Date of publication:   08 April 2011 Description/subject:   "Burma, with an estimated population of 56 million, is ruled by a highly authoritarian military regime dominated by the majority ethnic Burman group. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), led by Senior General Than Shwe, was the country's de facto government. Military officers wielded the ultimate authority at each level of government. In 1990 prodemocracy parties won more than 80 percent of the seats in a general parliamentary election, but the regime continued to ignore the results. In 2008 the regime held a referendum on its draft constitution and declared the constitution had been approved by 92.48 percent of voters, a figure no independent observers believed was valid. The government held parliamentary elections on November 7, the first elections since 1990. The government-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed an overwhelming majority of seats in the national parliament and state/regional assemblies. Democracy activists and the international community widely criticized both the constitutional referendum and the elections process as seriously flawed. Parliament was scheduled to convene on January 31, 2011, with a special joint session of the upper and lower houses to follow within 15 days. The constitution was to go into effect when that joint session was convened. The constitution specifies that the SPDC will continue to rule until a new government is formed. The regime continued to abridge the right of citizens to change their government and committed other severe human rights abuses. Government security forces were responsible for extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, disappearances, rape, and torture. The government detained civic activists indefinitely and without charges. In addition regime-sponsored mass-member organizations engaged in harassment and abuse of human rights and prodemocracy activists. The government abused prisoners and detainees, held persons in harsh and life-threatening conditions, routinely used incommunicado detention, and imprisoned citizens arbitrarily for political motives. The army continued its attacks on ethnic minority villagers, resulting in deaths, forced relocation, and other serious abuses. The government routinely infringed on citizens' privacy and restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement. The government did not allow domestic human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to function independently, and international NGOs encountered a difficult environment. Violence and societal discrimination against women continued, as did recruitment of child soldiers, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and trafficking in persons, particularly of women and girls. Workers' rights remained restricted. Forced labor, including that of children, also persisted. The government took no significant actions to prosecute or punish those responsible for human rights abuses. Ethnic armed groups and some cease-fire groups (armed ethnic guerillas) allegedly committed human rights abuses, including forced labor and recruitment of child soldiers. The government released Aung San Suu Kyi--general secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD)--from house arrest on November 13, the date her sentence (for allegedly having violated the terms of her confinement) expired..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US State Dept, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   pdf (229K) Alternate URLs:   http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/USDOS-Country-rep2010-Burma.pdf Date of entry/update:   28 April 2011 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2009 Date of publication:   11 March 2010 Description/subject:   "Burma, with an estimated population of 54 million, is ruled by a highly authoritarian military regime dominated by the majority ethnic Burman group. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), led by Senior General Than Shwe, was the country's de facto government. Military officers wielded the ultimate authority at each level of government. In 1990 prodemocracy parties won more than 80 percent of the seats in a general parliamentary election, but the regime continued to ignore the results. In May 2008 the regime held a referendum on its draft constitution and declared the constitution had been approved by 92.48 percent of voters, a figure no independent observers believed was valid. The constitution specifies that the SPDC will continue to rule until a new parliament is convened, scheduled to take place following national elections in 2010. The military government controlled the security forces without civilian oversight. The regime continued to abridge the right of citizens to change their government and committed other severe human rights abuses. Government security forces allowed custodial deaths to occur and committed extrajudicial killings, disappearances, rape, and torture. The government detained civic activists indefinitely and without charges. In addition regime-sponsored mass-member organizations engaged in harassment, abuse, and detention of human rights and prodemocracy activists. The government abused prisoners and detainees, held persons in harsh and life-threatening conditions, routinely used incommunicado detention, and imprisoned citizens arbitrarily for political motives. The army continued its attacks on ethnic minority villagers. The government sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi--general secretary of the country's independence movement, the National League for Democracy (NLD)--to 18 additional months of house arrest for violating the terms of her confinement. The government routinely infringed on citizens' privacy and restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement. The government did not allow domestic human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to function independently, and international NGOs encountered a difficult environment. Violence and societal discrimination against women continued, as did recruitment of child soldiers, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and trafficking in persons, particularly of women and girls. Workers' rights remained restricted. Forced labor, including that of children, also persisted. The government took no significant actions to prosecute or punish those responsible for human rights abuses..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US State Dept, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   27 April 2010 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2008 Date of publication:   25 February 2009 Description/subject:   Events of 2008..."Burma, with an estimated population of 54 million, is ruled by a highly authoritarian military regime dominated by the majority ethnic Burman group. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), led by Senior General Than Shwe, was the country's de facto government. Military officers wielded the ultimate authority at each level of government. In 1990 prodemocracy parties won more than 80 percent of the seats in a general parliamentary election, but the regime continued to ignore the results. The military government controlled the security forces without civilian oversight. The regime continued to abridge the right of citizens to change their government and committed other severe human rights abuses. Government security forces allowed custodial deaths to occur and committed other extrajudicial killings, disappearances, rape, and torture. The government detained civic activists indefinitely and without charges. In addition regime-sponsored mass-member organizations engaged in harassment, abuse, and detention of human rights and prodemocracy activists. The government abused prisoners and detainees, held persons in harsh and life-threatening conditions, routinely used incommunicado detention, and imprisoned citizens arbitrarily for political motives. The army continued its attacks on ethnic minority villagers. Aung San Suu Kyi, general secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD), and NLD Vice-Chairman Tin Oo remained under house arrest. The government routinely infringed on citizens' privacy and restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement. The government did not allow domestic human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to function independently, and international NGOs encountered a difficult environment. Violence and societal discrimination against women continued, as did recruitment of child soldiers, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and trafficking in persons, particularly of women and girls. Workers' rights remained restricted. Forced labor, including that of children, also persisted. The government took no significant actions to prosecute or punish those responsible for human rights abuses. Ethnic armed groups allegedly committed human rights abuses, including forced labor. Some cease-fire groups reportedly committed abuses. Armed insurgent groups and cease-fire groups also recruited child soldiers..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US State Dept, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   26 February 2009 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2007 Date of publication:   11 March 2008 Description/subject:   "Since 1962 Burma, with an estimated population of 54 million, has been ruled by a succession of highly authoritarian military regimes dominated by the majority ethnic Burman group. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), led by Senior General Than Shwe, was the country's de facto government. Military officers wielded the ultimate authority at each level of government. In 1990 prodemocracy parties won more than 80 percent of the seats in a general parliamentary election, but the regime continued to ignore the results. The military government totally controlled the country's security forces without civilian oversight. The government's human rights record worsened during the year. The regime continued to abridge the right of citizens to change their government. Government security forces killed at least 30 demonstrators during their suppression of prodemocracy protests in September, and they continued to allow custodial deaths to occur and commited other extrajudicial killings, disappearances, rape, and torture. In addition, regime‑sponsored, mass-member organizations such as the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and regime-backed "private" militias increasingly engaged in harassment, abuse, and detention of human rights and prodemocracy activists. The government continued to detain civic activists indefinitely and without charges, including more than 3,000 persons suspected of taking part in prodemocracy demonstrations in September and October, at least 300 members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), and at least 15 members of the 88 Generation Students prodemocracy activists. The government continued to prohibit the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from working unhindered in conflict areas and visiting prisoners privately. The army continued its attacks on ethnic minority villagers in Bago Division and Karen and Shan states to drive them from their traditional land. The government abused prisoners and detainees, held persons in harsh and life‑threatening conditions, routinely used incommunicado detention, and imprisoned citizens arbitrarily for political motives. NLD General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD Vice Chairman Tin Oo remained under house arrest. The government routinely infringed on citizens' privacy and restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement. The government did not allow domestic human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to function independently, and international NGOs encountered a difficult environment. Violence and societal discrimination against women continued, as did recruitment of child soldiers, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and trafficking in persons, particularly of women and girls. Workers' rights remained restricted. Forced labor, including that of children, also persisted. The government took no significant actions to prosecute or punish those responsible for human rights abuses. Ethnic armed groups allegedly committed human rights abuses, including forced labor, although to a much lesser extent than the government. Some cease‑fire groups also reportedly committed abuses, including forced relocation of villagers in their home regions. Armed insurgent groups and cease‑fire groups also recruited child soldiers..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US State Dept, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   15 March 2008 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2006 Date of publication:   06 March 2007 Description/subject:   Events of 2006..."Since 1962 Burma, with an estimated population of 54 million, has been ruled by a succession of highly authoritarian military regimes dominated by the majority Burman ethnic group. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), led by Senior General Than Shwe, was the country's de facto government, with subordinate peace and development councils ruling by decree at the division, state, city, township, ward, and village levels. Military officers wielded the ultimate authority at each level of government. In 1990 prodemocracy parties won more than 80 percent of the seats in a general parliamentary election, but the regime continued to ignore the results. The military government totally controlled the country's armed forces, excluding a few active insurgent groups. The government's human rights record worsened during the year. The regime continued to abridge the right of citizens to change their government. The government detained five leaders of the 88 Generation Students prodemocracy activists. The government refused to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit prisoners privately. The army increased attacks on ethnic minority villagers in Bago Division and Karen State designed to drive them from their traditional land. In addition, the government continued to commit other serious abuses, including extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, disappearances, rape, and torture. The government abused prisoners and detainees, held persons in harsh and life threatening conditions, routinely used incommunicado detention, and imprisoned citizens arbitrarily for political motives. National League for Democracy (NLD) General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD Vice Chairman Tin Oo remained under house arrest. Governmental authorities routinely infringed on citizens' privacy and resorted more frequently to forced relocations. The government restricted freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion, and movement. The government did not allow domestic human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to function independently, and international NGOs encountered a hostile environment. Violence and societal discrimination against women continued, as did forced recruitment of child soldiers, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and trafficking in persons, particularly of women and girls. Workers rights remained restricted, and forced labor, including that of children, also persisted. Ethnic armed groups allegedly committed human rights abuses, including forced labor, although reportedly to a much lesser extent than the government. Some cease fire groups also reportedly committed abuses, including forced relocation of villagers in their home regions. Armed insurgent groups and cease fire groups also practiced forced conscription of child soldiers..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US State Dept, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   07 March 2007 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2005 Date of publication:   08 March 2006 Description/subject:   "...The government's human rights record worsened during the year, and the government continued to commit numerous serious abuses. The following human rights abuses were reported: * abridgement of the right to change the government * extrajudicial killings, including custodial deaths * disappearances * rape, torture, and beatings of prisoners and detainees * arbitrary arrest without appeal * politically motivated arrests and detentions * incommunicado detention * continued house arrest of National League for Democracy (NLD) General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD Vice * Chairman U Tin Oo, and the continued closure of all NLD offices, except the Rangoon headquarters * imprisonment of members of the United Nationalities Alliance, including Hkun Htun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin, both leaders of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy * infringement on citizens' right to privacy * forcible relocation and confiscation of land and property * restriction of freedom of speech, press, assembly, association and movement * restriction of freedom of religion * discrimination and harassment against Muslims * restrictions on domestic human rights organizations and a failure to cooperate with international human rights organizations * violence and societal discrimination against women * forced recruitment of child soldiers * discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities * trafficking in persons, particularly of women and girls for the purpose of prostitution and as involuntary wives restrictions on worker rights * forced labor (including against children), chiefly in support of military garrisons and operations in ethnic minority regions..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US State Dept, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   17 March 2006 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2004 Date of publication:   28 February 2005 Description/subject:   "Since 1962, Burma has been ruled by a succession of highly authoritarian military regimes dominated by the majority Burman ethnic group. In 1990, pro-democracy parties won more than 80 percent of the seats during generally free and fair parliamentary elections, but the junta refused to recognize the results. The current controlling military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), is the country's de facto government, with subordinate Peace and Development Councils ruling by decree at the division, state, city, township, ward, and village levels. On October 19, hardliners further consolidated their power by ousting former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt and appointing Soe Win. From May through July, the SPDC reconvened a National Convention (NC) as part of its purported "Road Map to Democracy." The NC excluded the largest opposition party and did not allow free debate. The judiciary was not independent and was subject to military control. The Government reinforced its rule with a pervasive security apparatus. Until its dismantling in October, the Office of Chief Military Intelligence (OCMI) exercised control through surveillance, harassment of political activists, intimidation, arrest, detention, physical abuse, and restrictions on citizens' contacts with foreigners. After October, the Government's new Military Affairs Security (MAS) assumed a similar role, though apparently with less sweeping powers. The Government justified its security measures as necessary to maintain order and national unity. Members of the security forces committed numerous serious human rights abuses..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US State Dept., Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   28 February 2005 Title:   International Religious Freedom Report 2004: Burma Date of publication:   15 September 2004 Description/subject:   "The country has been ruled since 1962 by highly repressive, authoritarian military regimes. Since 1988, when the armed forces brutally suppressed massive prodemocracy demonstrations, a junta composed of senior military officers has ruled by decree, without a constitution or legislature. Although there is currently no constitution in place, the principles laid out by the Government for its reconvened constitutional convention allow for "freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess and practice religion subject to public order, morality, or healthE" Most adherents of religions that are registered with the authorities generally are allowed to worship as they choose; however, the Government imposes restrictions on certain religious activities and frequently abuses the right to freedom of religion. There was no change in the limited respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. Through its pervasive internal security apparatus, the Government generally infiltrated or monitored the meetings and activities of virtually all organizations, including religious organizations. It systematically restricted efforts by Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom, discouraged or prohibited minority religions from constructing new places of worship, and in some ethnic minority areas coercively promoted Buddhism over other religions, particularly among members of the minority ethnic groups. Under the principles that are to guide the drafting of the constitution, "the State recognizes the special position of Buddhism as the faith professed by the great majority of the citizens of the State." Christian groups continued to experience difficulties in obtaining permission to repair existing churches or build new ones in most regions, while Muslims reported that they essentially are banned from constructing any new mosques or expanding existing ones anywhere in the country. Anti-Muslim violence continued to occur during the period covered by this report, as did monitoring of Muslims' activities and restrictions on Muslim travel and worship countrywide. There were flare-ups of Muslim-Buddhist violence during the period covered by this report. Persistent social tensions remained between the Buddhist majority and the Christian and Muslim minorities, largely due to old British colonial and contemporary government preferences. There is widespread prejudice against Burmese of South Asian origin, most of whom are Muslims. The U.S. Government promoted religious freedom with all facets of society, including government officials, religious leaders, private citizens, scholars, diplomats of other governments, and international business and media representatives. Embassy staff offered support to local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and religious leaders and acted as a conduit for information exchange with otherwise isolated human rights NGOs and religious leaders. Since 1999, the U.S. Secretary of State has designated Burma as a "Country of Particular Concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act for particularly severe violations of religious freedom. ..." Language:   English, Japanese Source/publisher:   US Dept. of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Format/size:   HTML (English: 65KB, Japanese: 50KB) , PDF (Japanese: 316KB) Alternate URLs:   http://www.burmainfo.org/usa/usds_irfr2004-burma_jp.html (Japanese, HTML) http://www.burmainfo.org/usa/usds_irfr2004-burma_jp.pdf (Japanese, PDF) Date of entry/update:   21 October 2004 Title:   Conditions in Burma and U.S. Policy Toward Burma for the the Period September 28, 2003 – March 27, 2004 Date of publication:   13 April 2004 Description/subject:   Introduction and Summary: "The overall situation in Burma has changed little over the past six months. The Burmese government released most persons arrested during the government’s May 2003 attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy. However, many pro-democracy supporters rounded up in the aftermath of the attack remain in detention; National League for Democracy (NLD) offices remain closed; senior opposition party leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo, remain largely incommunicado under house arrest; and the government refuses to investigate the May attack. The Government of Burma (GOB) also has arrested more people for their peaceful political activities over the past six months, while over a thousand persons remain jailed for their political beliefs. The ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has focused efforts on promoting its own seven-step “road map” to a "genuine and disciplined democratic system." Although the SPDC unveiled the plan in August 2003 following the announcement of new U.S. sanctions, the junta has yet to set a timetable for the transition or give assurances that all political parties and ethnic groups will be included in a transparent and democratic process. In recent months, the SPDC and the Karen National Union (KNU) entered into serious cease-fire negotiations, which could bring an end to decades of conflict. The U.S. consults with the European Union and others to maintain pressure on the Burmese junta to make progress toward a political transition. Following the events of May 30, the EU expanded the scope of its asset freeze and visa restrictions; Canada imposed visa restrictions; and Japan froze new development assistance to the junta. The UK has frozen over 3500 pounds of assets while other countries have blocked only minimal amounts; Japan is now providing assistance to some projects. No other country has adopted the economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. The SPDC’s dismal economic policies have led to widespread poverty and the flight of most foreign investors. New U.S. economic sanctions have also had an impact on at least one sector of the economy; dozens of garment factories that had relied on exports to the United States have now closed. In addition, sanctions have caused the Burmese to rely more on euros than on dollars for trade. We have no statistics on the impact of sanctions on tourism. The Burmese government abruptly reversed its ten-month old rice liberalization policy in January 2004, banning all exports of rice and other staple commodities. The 31-country member Financial Action Task Force (FATF), recommended countermeasures on the GOB, since the GOB had not implemented money-laundering legislation. Most countries imposed additional reporting requirements, and the U.S. banned correspondent relations with Burmese financial institutions. The SPDC continued to abuse severely the human rights of its citizens. Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and association remain greatly restricted. Burmese citizens are not free to criticize their government. Egregious abuses of ethnic minority civilians by the Burmese military including rape, torture, execution and forced dislocation continue. Forced labor, trafficking in persons, and religious discrimination remain serious problems. Immediate U.S. policy objectives in Burma are the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, other NLD officials, and all political prisoners, as well as the start of genuine dialogue on democracy and political reform, including the re-opening of NLD party headquarters and all NLD regional offices. Overall U.S. policy goals include establishment of constitutional democracy, respect for human rights, cooperation in fighting terrorism, regional stability, a full accounting of missing U.S. servicemen from World War II, combating HIV/AIDS, combating trafficking in persons and increased cooperation in eradicating the production and trafficking of illicit narcotics. The U.S. will continue to urge other nations to use sanctions and diplomacy to press the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners and to allow all political parties to operate. The U.S. also encourages all countries with a major interest in Burma, particularly Burma’s immediate neighbors, ASEAN, and Japan, to use their influence to convince the government to undertake immediate steps on political reform and human rights. We will continue to urge the international community to support the UN Secretary General in his efforts to start genuine talks on a political transition in Burma..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Dept. of State: Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   14 April 2004 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003 Date of publication:   25 February 2004 Description/subject:   Events of 2003. "Burma is ruled by a highly authoritarian military regime. In 1962, General Ne Win overthrew the elected civilian government and replaced it with a repressive military government dominated by the majority Burman ethnic group. In 1988, the armed forces brutally suppressed pro-democracy demonstrations, and a group composed of 19 military officers, called the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) took control, abrogated the 1974 Constitution, and has ruled by decree since then. In 1990, pro-democracy parties won over 80 percent of the seats during generally free and fair parliamentary elections, but the Government refused to recognize the results. In 1992, then-General Than Shwe took over the SLORC and in 1997 changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The 13-member SPDC is the country's de facto government, with subordinate Peace and Development Councils ruling by decree at the division, state, city, township, ward, and village levels. Several long-running internal ethnic conflicts continued to smolder. The judiciary was not independent and was subject to military control. The Government reinforced its firm military rule with a pervasive security apparatus. The Office of Chief Military Intelligence (OCMI) exercised control through surveillance of the military, government employees, and private citizens, and through harassment of political activists, intimidation, arrest, detention, physical abuse, and restrictions on citizens' contacts with foreigners. The Government justified its security measures as necessary to maintain order and national unity. Members of the security forces committed numerous, serious human rights abuses. Though resource-rich, the country is extremely poor; the estimated annual per capita income was approximately $300. Most of the population of more than 50 million was located in rural areas and lived at subsistence levels. Four decades of military rule, economic mismanagement, and endemic corruption have resulted in widespread poverty, poor health care, declining education levels, poor infrastructure, and continuously deteriorating economic conditions. During the year, the collapse of the private banking sector and the economic consequences of additional international sanctions further weakened the economy. The Government's extremely poor human rights record worsened, and it continued to commit numerous serious abuses. Citizens still did not have the right to change their government. Security forces continued to commit extrajudicial killings and rape, forcibly relocate persons, use forced labor, conscript child soldiers, and reestablished forced conscription of the civilian population into militia units. During the year, government-affiliated agents killed as many as 70 pro-democracy activists. Disappearances continued, and members of the security forces tortured, beat, and otherwise abused prisoners and detainees. Citizens were subjected to arbitrary arrest without appeal. Arrests and detention for expression of dissenting political views occurred on numerous occasions. During the year, the Government arrested over 270 democracy supporters, primarily members of the country's largest pro-democracy party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The Government detained many of them in secret locations without notifying their family or providing access to due legal process or counsel. During the year, the Government stated it released approximately 120 political prisoners, but the majority of them had already finished their sentences, and many were common criminals and not political prisoners. By year's end, an estimated 1,300 political prisoners remained in prison. Prison conditions remained harsh and life threatening, although in some prisons conditions improved after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was allowed access. The Government did not take steps to prosecute or punish human rights abusers. On May 30, government-affiliated forces attacked an NLD convoy led by party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, leaving several hundred NLD members and pro-democracy supporters missing, under arrest, wounded, raped, or dead. Following the attack, Government authorities detained Aung San Suu Kyi, other NLD party officials, and eyewitnesses to the attack. As of year's end, the Government has not investigated or admitted any role in the attack. The Government subsequently banned all NLD political activities, closed down approximately 100 recently reopened NLD offices, detained the entire 9-member NLD Central Executive Committee, and closely monitored the activities of other political parties throughout the country. The Government continued to restrict severely freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, and movement. During the year, persons suspected of or charged with pro-democratic political activity were killed or subjected to severe harassment, physical attack, arbitrary arrest, detention without trial, incommunicado detention, house arrest, and the closing of political and economic offices. The Government restricted freedom of religion, coercively promoted Buddhism over other religions, and imposed restrictions on religious minorities. The Government's control over the country's Muslim minority continued, and acts of discrimination and harassment against Muslims continued. The Government regularly infringed on citizens' privacy; security forces continued to monitor systematically citizens' movements and communications, search homes without warrants, and relocate persons forcibly without just compensation or legal recourse. The SPDC also continued to forcibly relocate large ethnic minority civilian populations in order to deprive armed ethnic groups of civilian bases of support. The Government continued to restrict freedom of movement and, in particular, foreign travel by female citizens under 25 years of age. The Government did not permit domestic human rights organizations to function independently and remained hostile to outside scrutiny of its human rights record. However, it allowed the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights (UNSRHR) in Burma to conduct two limited missions to the country, but the Government did not allow the UNSRHR to visit all sites requested or stay for as long as he requested. It also allowed the International Labor Organization (ILO) to operate a liaison office in Rangoon; however, after the May 30 attack on Aung San Suu Kyi the ILO deferred finalizing a draft agreement with the Government on forced labor. Violence and societal discrimination against women remained problems, as did discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities. The Government continued to restrict worker rights, ban unions, and use forced labor for public works and for the support of military garrisons. Forced child labor remained a serious problem, despite recent ordinances outlawing the practice. The forced use of citizens as porters by SPDC troops--with the attendant mistreatment, illness, and sometimes death--remained a common practice, as did Government forced recruitment of child soldiers. Trafficking in persons, particularly in women and girls primarily for the purposes of prostitution, remained widespread, despite some efforts to address the problem. Ethnic armed groups including the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Shan State Army-South (SSA-South) also may have committed human rights abuses, including killings, rapes, forced labor, and conscription of child soldiers, although on a lesser scale than the Government..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Dept. of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   26 February 2004 Title:   International Religious Freedom Report 2003: Burma Date of publication:   18 December 2003 Description/subject:   "Burma has been ruled since 1962 by highly repressive, authoritarian military regimes. Since 1988, when the armed forces brutally suppressed massive pro-democracy demonstrations, a junta composed of senior military officers has ruled by decree, without a constitution or legislature. The most recent constitution, promulgated in 1974, permits both legislative and administrative restrictions on religious freedom: "the national races shall enjoy the freedom to profess their religion, provided that the enjoyment of any such freedom does not offend the laws or the public interest." Most adherents of religions that are registered with the authorities generally are allowed to worship as they choose; however, the Government has imposed restrictions on certain religious activities and frequently abused the right to freedom of religion. There was no change in the limited respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. Through its pervasive internal security apparatus, the Government generally infiltrated or monitored the meetings and activities of virtually all organizations, including religious organizations. It systematically restricted efforts by Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom, discouraged or prohibited minority religions from constructing new places of worship, and, in some ethnic minority areas, coercively promoted Buddhism over other religions, particularly among members of the minority ethnic groups. Christian groups continued to experience increasing difficulties in obtaining permission to build new churches in most regions, while Muslims reported that they essentially are banned from constructing any new mosques, or expanding existing ones anywhere in the country. Anti-Muslim violence continued to occur. Restrictions on Muslim travel as well as monitoring of Muslims' activities and worship countrywide have increased in recent years. There are social tensions between the Buddhist majority and the Christian and Muslim minorities, largely due to colonial and contemporary government preferences. There is widespread prejudice against Muslims. Since 1988, a primary objective of U.S. Government policy toward the country has been to promote increased respect for human rights, including the right to freedom of religion. In March, the Secretary of State designated Burma a "country of particular concern" (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act for particularly severe violations of religious freedom. The Secretary of State also designated Burma a CPC in 1999, 2000, and 2001. During the period covered by this report, the U.S. Embassy promoted religious freedom during contacts with all facets of Burmese society, including officials, private citizens, scholars, representatives of other governments, international media representatives, and international business representatives, as well as leaders of Buddhist, Christian, and Islamic religious groups..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Dept. of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Format/size:   html (65KB) Date of entry/update:   18 December 2003 Title:   Report on Activities to Support Democracy Activists in Burma as Required by the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 Date of publication:   30 October 2003 Description/subject:   "The restoration of democracy in Burma is a priority U.S. policy objective in Southeast Asia. To achieve this objective, the United States has consistently supported democracy activists and their efforts both inside and outside Burma. However, programming aimed at organizing the democratic opposition in Burma has been difficult in the face of the military junta's tactics of terror, torture, intimidation, and censorship. As conditions have deteriorated inside Burma, especially since the events of May 30, 2003, it has become increasingly difficult to meet growing needs; many opposition leaders are detained and isolated. Addressing these needs requires flexibility and creativity. Despite the challenges that have arisen, United States Embassies Rangoon and Bangkok as well as Consulate General Chiang Mai are fully engaged in pro-democracy efforts. The United States also supports organizations, such as the National Endowment for Democracy, the Open Society Institute, and Internews, working inside and outside the region on a broad range of democracy promotion activities. U.S.-based broadcasters supply news and information to the Burmese people, who lack a free press. U.S. programs also fund scholarships for Burmese who represent the future of Burma. The United States is committed to working for a democratic Burma and will continue to employ a variety of tools to assist democracy activists..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Dept. of State: Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   10 November 2003 Title:   Conditions in Burma and U.S. Policy Toward Burma for the Period March 28, 2003 - September 27, 2003 Date of publication:   27 October 2003 Description/subject:   "Efforts to foster peaceful democratic change in Burma, already encumbered by an increasingly confrontational military regime, were dealt a severe blow on May 30 when government-affiliated thugs carried out a premeditated ambush on democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy of National League for Democracy (NLD) party members and supporters. Since the May 30 attack, Burma’s military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has held Aung San Suu Kyi and all members of the NLD’s Central Executive Committee in indefinite "protective custody," arrested dozens of NLD members, and shuttered the party’s headquarters and all of its regional offices. The violent attack and its aftermath dominate the political scene in Burma. Despite significant pressure from the United States, the European Union, Japan, and, to a lesser degree, ASEAN, the Burmese junta has not taken any constructive steps to resolve the crisis or to begin a real dialogue with the NLD and other political parties, including ethnic minority groups, on substantive political issues. In July, President Bush signed the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 and the U.S. imposed significant additional economic sanctions on Burma. These new measures, which complement a ban on new investment in Burma and other existing sanctions, prohibit the import of any Burmese product into the United States, ban the provision of financial services to Burma, and freeze the assets of designated Burmese institutions, including the State Peace and Development Council. In addition, in June, the Department of State expanded the scope of an existing visa ban that targets Burmese officials and others who inhibit a transition to democracy to include all officials of the government-affiliated Union Solidarity and Development Association and the managers of state-owned enterprises and their immediate family members. On September 9, President Bush imposed further trafficking in persons-related sanctions on Burma, barring U.S. funding for Burmese government officials or employees in educational and cultural exchange programs. Absent significant progress toward a political transition, the U.S. will coordinate with the European Union and others to maintain pressure on the Burmese junta to make such progress. The European Union has expanded the scope of its asset freeze and visa restrictions; Canada has also imposed visa restrictions. Japan has frozen new development assistance to the junta. Should the SPDC fail to release a significant number of political prisoners or improve its human rights record, and should it continue to inhibit a meaningful political dialogue with the democratic opposition, the U.S. will consider additional measures in conjunction with the international community..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   US Dept. of State: Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Format/size:   html Alternate URLs:   http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rpt/burma/25650.htm Date of entry/update:   27 October 2003 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (2002) Date of publication:   31 March 2003 Description/subject:   Events of 2002. "Burma is ruled by a highly authoritarian military regime. In 1962 General Ne Win overthrew the elected civilian government and replaced it with a repressive military government dominated by the majority ethnic group. In 1988 the armed forces brutally suppressed prodemocracy demonstrations, and a junta composed of military officers, called the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), led by Senior General Than Shwe, took control. Since then the SPDC has ruled by decree. The judiciary was not independent, and there was no effective rule of law. The regime reinforced its firm military rule with a pervasive security apparatus, the Office of Chief Military Intelligence (OCMI). Control was implemented through surveillance of government employees and private citizens, harassment of political activists, intimidation, arrest, detention, physical abuse, and restrictions on citizens' contacts with foreigners. The SPDC justified its security measures as necessary to maintain order and national unity. Members of the security forces committed numerous, serious human rights abuses..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights,and Labor, US Department of State Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept.: Burma - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (2001) Date of publication:   04 March 2002 Description/subject:   Events of 2001. "Burma is ruled by a highly authoritarian military regime. Repressive military governments dominated by members of the majority Burman ethnic group have ruled the ethnically Burman central regions and some ethnic-minority areas continuously since 1962, when a coup led by General Ne Win overthrew an elected civilian government. Since September 1988, when the armed forces brutally suppressed massive prodemocracy demonstrations, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), a junta composed of senior military officers, has ruled by decree, without a constitution or legislature. The Government is headed by armed forces commander Senior General Than Shwe, although Ne Win, who retired from public office during the 1988 prodemocracy demonstrations, continued to wield informal influence..." Language:   English Source/publisher:   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights,and Labor, US Department of State Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept.- Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices (2000) Date of publication:   February 2001 Description/subject:   Events of 2000 Language:   English Source/publisher:   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, US Department of State Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1999 Date of publication:   25 February 2000 Description/subject:   Events of 1999 Language:   English Source/publisher:   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1998 Date of publication:   26 February 1999 Description/subject:   Events of 1998 Language:   English Source/publisher:   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, US Dept. of State Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1997 Date of publication:   30 January 1998 Description/subject:   Events of 1997 Language:   English Source/publisher:   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State Format/size:   html Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1996 Date of publication:   30 January 1997 Description/subject:   Events of 1996 Language:   English Source/publisher:   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, US Department of State Format/size:   html (84K) Alternate URLs:   http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs/USDOS-CR1996.htm Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Human Rights Practices, 1995 Date of publication:   March 1996 Description/subject:   Events of 1995 Language:   English Source/publisher:   U.S. Department of State Format/size:   html (61K) Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept. - Burma: Human Rights Practices, 1994 Date of publication:   February 1995 Description/subject:   Events of 1994 Language:   English Source/publisher:   U.S. Department of State Format/size:   html (123K) Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003 Title:   US State Dept.:Burma: Human Rights Practices, 1993 Date of publication:   31 January 1994 Description/subject:   Events of 1993 Language:   English Source/publisher:   U.S. Department of State Format/size:   html (110K) Date of entry/update:   03 June 2003