An increase in human rights abuses was noted from May in the context of the protracted armed conflict between the security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Amid political instability and increased military activity, police and security forces were responsible for arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, ''disappearances'' and extrajudicial executions. There was a marked rise in allegations of rape by police, army and navy personnel, although the number of ''disappearances'' decreased in comparison with previous years.