You may not alter this information, repost or sell it without permission. If you use this document, you are encouraged to make a donation to Amnesty International to support future research. The catalogue of these violations is extensive. Over 1,000 political prisoners remain behind bars, the majority of whom have been tried after unfair trials. Amnesty International believes that most of these people may be prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of their non-violent opinions.
Prison conditions are so deplorable as to constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
Martial law decrees which prohibit gatherings of more than five people and forbid public criticism of the military remain in force. Opposition political parties operate under severe restrictions and in the last five months dozens of their members have been arrested. The security forces have not only singled out government critics for repression but also regularly target ethnic minorities for widespread abuse. Ethnic minorities, who comprise one-third of Myanmar's population and live for the most part in border areas, are also victims of human rights violations. Others have been killed reportedly because the tatmadaw suspected these individuals of supporting the KNU in some way.