In its annual report, the department said that unlike the case in previous years, there were no reports claiming that the government or its agents had committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings, over the past year.
It said there were also no reports of “disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities”.
“But in July 2023, police probed the disappearances of democracy and rights activist Thuzar Maung and her family, who are from Myanmar, as well as UN refugee cardholders who were allegedly abducted by men posing as policemen,” it said.
The bureau said other significant human rights issues remained, including reports of cruel treatment by enforcement agencies and poor conditions in prisons and detention centres.
It said there were likewise still restrictions on freedom of expression, citing the government’s confiscation of Swatch watches with alleged lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer elements, and the cancellation of the Good Vibes Festival.
It also said that rape laws were not effectively enforced, claiming that the courts were inconsistent when it came to punishing rapists.
Support mechanisms for victims of rape or domestic violence were also inadequate, it said.
“Many government hospitals had crisis centres where survivors of rape and domestic abuse could file reports without going to a police station. There was also a sexual investigations unit to help victims of sexual crimes and abuse, and police sometimes assigned psychologists or counsellors to provide emotional support.
“NGOs reported, however, that the government did not act in cases of domestic violence. Victims had to gather and maintain evidence, gather witness testimonies, and ensure their own safety.”
The bureau also claimed that many human rights organisations had encountered difficulty obtaining the government’s recognition as NGOs.
“Subject to varying degrees of government restrictions, domestic and international human rights groups operated, investigated, and published their findings on human rights cases.
“The government was not always cooperative or responsive to their views.”
As a result, it said, many of these groups were registered as companies, which created legal and bureaucratic obstacles to opening bank accounts, paying staff, and fundraising.
“Authorities frequently cited a lack of registration as grounds for action against organisations. Some NGOs also reported that the government monitored their activities to intimidate them,” it said.