Burma's military government has denied allegations that soldiers are using rape as a weapon of war against ethnic Karen women.
In a statement today (Sunday), the junta said a report released Friday by the Karen Women's Organization was an attempt to discredit the government and derail its systematic transition to democracy.
The KWO report documented what it said were 125 cases of rape of ethnic Karen women.
The Rangoon regime's human-rights record is routinely criticized by foreign governments and watchdogs. A report nearly two years ago (July 2002) by two Thai-based ethnic Shan rights groups detailed the sexual assault of Shan girls and women.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.