In this country report for the year 2004, the U.S. Department of State reports that the Burmese government's extremely poor human rights record worsened, and the government continued to commit numerous serious abuses. Citizens still did not have the right to criticize or change their government.
Unlike in previous years, there were no reports of government-affiliated agents killing pro-democracy activists. Security forces continued to carry out extrajudicial killings. Disappearances continued, and security forces raped, tortured, beat, and otherwise abused prisoners and detainees. Citizens were subjected to arbitrary arrest without appeal. Arrests and detention for political dissent occurred on numerous occasions.