U.S. Calls Burma's Rights Record 'Deplorable'

The United States is calling Burma's human rights record "deplorable" saying it worsened in the last year.

The State Department said in a report Thursday that Burmese security forces carried out such acts as extrajudicial killings, torture, rapes, and conscripting child soldiers in 2006.

Titled "Supporting Human Rights and Democracy," the report chronicles U.S. efforts to help end human rights abuses.

The report says the United States has worked aggressively to press for change in Burma, including supporting programs by the United Nations and the International Labor organization.

It says the U.S. government has also supported journalist training, civil society development, and scholarship programs inside the country and among exile communities.

The report expressed disappointment that the U.N. Security Council vetoed a resolution against Burma last year, but said the U.S. was pleased a majority of Council members supported the measure.