The State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2002 issued March 31, 2003, leveled criticism at several East Asian countries, including China, Burma and North Korea. According to the report, Burma's human rights record remains "extremely poor" as its ruling junta continued to commit numerous serious abuses.
Dr. Sein Myint, Director of Policy Development, Justice and Human Rights in Burma welcomed the report, noting the report highlights what is actually happening in Burma today.
U Bo Hla Tint, spokesperson of Washington based National Coalition Government of The Union of Burma (NCGUB) said his group's delegation is now in Geneva to testify before United Nations Human Rights Commission regarding human rights conditions in Burma.
In its statement issued April 1, two months after its first-ever visit to Burma, Amnesty International welcomed some limited improvements in the human rights situation, but Mr. T. Kumar, Director of Amnesty International (Washington, D.C) expressed "disappointment that other urgent steps have not been taken by the military government."
Meanwhile, Burma's military government rejected the State Department report, saying it was biased, politically motivated and full of what it called "unsubstantiated charges" made by opposing groups and insurgents.