The fighting ended after a ceasefire went into effect in November. The judiciary is inefficient, and long delays in trials are common. The government stepped up its intimidation of the opposition in 1997, an election year. After the vote, leaders of the ruling People's Action Party filed numerous, potentially ruinous suits against opposition parties and their leaders, raising concerns about the independence of the judiciary. The government also restricts freedom of speech and intimidates journalists.
Military leaders retain an informal but influential role in internal politics.
Although the government generally respects human rights, the police use excessive violence in the treatment of suspects. The government remains reluctant to prosecute members of the security forces accused of extrajudicial killings. The government continues to repress basic political and religious freedoms. Citizens are still arrested for peaceful expression of opinions critical of the authorities, and are denied fair trials. However, there was slightly greater freedom of expression and assembly to protest grievances.