Nevertheless, Burmese law enforcement actions against producers and traffickers remain limited. Even as heroin production remains high, Burmese traffickers are also diversifying into methamphetamines, which are posing severe problems for neighboring states. In addition, traffickers are increasingly investing in legitimate sectors of the economy, and there is reason to believe that drug profits are being laundered through the Burmese economy at substantial levels. In the past six months the quality of life of the Burmese has worsened. There continue to be credible reports, particularly from ethnic minority-dominated areas along the Thai border, that soldiers have committed serious human rights abuses, including rape, forced porterage, and extrajudicial killing.
Disappearances continue, and members of the security forces beat and otherwise abuse detainees.
Arbitrary arrests and detentions continue for expression of dissenting political views. As of September 1997, several hundred, if not more, political prisoners remain in detention, including 29 Members of Parliament elected in 1990. Prison conditions remain deplorable and prisoners are subject to a lack of food and adequate medical care. As an example, U Tin Shwe, a former NLD Central Executive Committee member, died in Insein prison in June after prison authorities refused to allow him to see medical specialists to obtain treatment for his heart condition. Political party activity remains severely restricted.