GENEVA, Switzerland -- The top U.N. human rights body has condemned Myanmar's military junta just days ahead of the likely release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The 53-nation U.N. Human Rights Commission on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution expressing grave concern over "systematic violations" by authorities in Mynamar, formerly known as Burma.

Censure by the U.N. body draws attention to a country's human rights record but brings no actual penalties.

Human rights groups have expressed concern about arbitrary arrests by military intelligence agents, prolonged interrogation and the torture and ill-treatment of detainees.

Myanmar's representative said the criticism was unfair and failed to reflect "positive developments" in the country, including a state-sponsored convention on the country's political future.

The convention, scheduled to begin on May 17, is part of the military government's self-proclaimed "road map" toward democracy.

Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for nearly all of the last 12 months and has been detained for nine of the past 15 years.

The U.N. envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail, told CNN earlier this week that "all indications" were suggesting Suu Kyi could be released "in the next several days or so."

Suu Kyi's expected release comes amid signs the junta is softening its stance in a bid to mollify international condemnation of its behavior.

Myanmar officials have detained Suu Kyi, 58, in an undisclosed location for nearly a year since a bloody May 30 clash between her supporters and a pro-government group.

In the past week, two of her lieutenants have been freed and last weekend the headquarters of her National League for Democracy (NLD) was been allowed to re-open.

But some Myanmar observers warn the junta's road map to democracy could lead to a dead end.

The military has ruled the Southeast Asian nation since 1962, with the current regime of generals holding power since 1982.

Few believe they will be prepared to relinquish control easily after a 1990 election victoryby Suu Kyi's NLD was ignored.

Rather than honor the landslide result, the military rulers imprisoned Suu Kyi and her fellow leaders.

Source: CNN