Burma's state-run newspaper is denying a recent report by a British-based human rights group claiming that Christians in Burma are suppressed and persecuted.
"The New Light of Myanmar" today quoted several domestic Christian groups as saying they are granted freedom of worship. It also said the report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide was aimed at obstructing religious harmony in Burma.
Last month, the group detailed what it called the Burmese military regime's campaign of restriction, discrimination and persecution against Christians.
The United States, Britain and other nations often criticize Burma's military rulers for their human rights record and failure to hand power to a democratically elected government.
Burma's military has ruled the country since 1962 and detained some 11-hundred political prisoners.
Earlier this month, the United States drafted a U.N. Security Council resolution against Burma's military government, urging it to release all political prisoners, speed up progress toward democracy, and stop attacks against ethnic minorities. The measure was defeated with a rare double-veto by China and Russia.