UN report exposes continuing human rights abuses

IN 1988, the army brutally suppressed pro-democracy demonstrations in Burma and a junta of 19 military officers established the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). It has ruled by decree since.

In 1990, pro-democracy parties won over 80% of the vote during a free election. The biggest party, the National League for Democracy still is headed by Aung San Suu Kyi.

SLORC rejected the vote and continued to rule, renaming itself the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in 1997.