Human Rights Watch has revealed that serious human rights violations persist in Burma, despite an apparent commitment by the government to defend human rights. HRW's deputy Asia director said yesterday that "while the new government has passed reformist laws and promised policy changes, the real test will be the reaction when Burmese citizens try to avail themselves of their rights." She added that "atrocities against civilians in conflict zones, torture of political prisoners, and courts that justify repression have been features of the first year of nominally civilian rule as much as the announced reforms."  Human Rights Watch, 4th November