A prominent human rights group says Burma is intensifying its crackdown on political opponents.

In a report released today-Thursday, London-based Amnesty International said more than 1300 political prisoners are being held without access to lawyers and are subjected to torture or mistreatment.

It said five opposition members were arrested in February and March this year, more than the total in the 21 months since May 2003.

Amnesty's secretary-general, Irene Khan, said Burma's justice system is being systematically misused to deny and restrict the right to peacefully exercise freedom of expression.