In December 1997, Burma Army troops began a campaign to eradicate opium in northern Shan State. The extent of this eradication is not yet clear, but it appears to be on a larger scale than were previous efforts. Narcotics traffickers appear to be investing heavily in legiti- mate sectors of Burma's economy. There is also reason to believe that drug profits are being laundered through Burma in substantial amounts, with little official effort to counter this trend. As legitimate business in Burma dries up due to deteriorating economic and poor political conditions, narcotics-related business is expected to increase in relative importance in terms of overall economic activity.
Disappearances continue, and detainees are sometimes beaten.
Arbitrary arrests and detentions continue for expression of political views. As of September 1998, hundreds, perhaps thousands of political prisoners remain in detention, including more than 200 members of parliament elected in 1990. Prison conditions remain deplorable and prisoners are subject to a lack of adequate food and medical care. The SPDC reinforces its rule via a pervasive security apparatus controlled by military intelligence which sharply restricts basic human rights to free speech, press, assembly and association. In response to street protests by large groups of university students in November and December 1996, the government closed the nation's schools and universities.