Burma's military government has criticized a U.S. report on its human rights record, saying it lacks objectivity.
Burma's foreign ministry said the U.S. State Department report, released earlier this week, was a "politically motivated" attempt to pressure Burma.
It accused the United States of failing to report progress, including the steps Rangoon has taken towards the emergence of a democratic state.
The U.S. State Department report labeled Burma's human rights record as "abysmal." According to the biannual report, conditions deteriorated significantly in the six month period it covers, from late March to late September of this year.
The report says until there is significant progress toward political transition, Washington will maintain its sanctions on Burma's military rulers. It says the United States will consider additional sanctions if political prisoners are not released.
Thursday, the Burmese military government called for a lifting of economic sanctions, saying they are forcing many Burmese into poverty and women into prostitution.
U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says sanctions are the right thing to do, and will result in a better life for all Burmese down the line.
However, he acknowledged the ban has resulted in the loss of jobs, leading some Burmese women into sex trade, which he called, an unfortunate outcome.
The United States imposed sanctions on Burma in 1997 to pressure the country's military government to enact democratic reforms. Washington recently imposed tough new sanctions against Rangoon following its detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Information for this report is provided by the State Department and AFP.