London-based Amnesty International says the human rights situation in Burma is deteriorating, noting that the Burmese army continues to seize civilians for forced labor.

In a statement released today-Wednesday, Amnesty said authorities are harassing people who report such violations.

The human rights group says one villager and one lawyer were imprisoned after they alerted the UN International Labour Organization to the criminal forced labor practices.

It adds that three people face trial this month for helping the family of a person who died, allegedly during forced labor.

Amnesty is calling on Burma to ensure that officials and the military do not use forced labor.

Amnesty International also says the Burmese army is illegally confiscating land from farmers.