In a new report entitled 'The Future in the Dark', the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) and the Washington-based United States Campaign for Burma (USCB) say prisons in Burma now hold 2,123 political prisoners, compared with 1,192 in June 2007.

The two groups, in a joint letter, urged the UN Secretary General and other members of the Security Council to pressure the Burmese military government to release all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who has been detained for more than 12 of the past 19 years.

Despite resolutions and statements passed by various UN mechanisms, including the General Assembly, Human Rights Council and Security Council, calling for the release of political prisoners and improved human rights conditions, the ruling junta has continued to escalate its campaign of arrests and detentions directed at political activists since last year's Saffron Revolution.

The increase in the number of political prisoners proves the junta's defiance of the United Nations and the international community, as well as the wishes of its own people, the joint statement argues.

"This is a clear indication that the military junta continues forcing the entire population and country to live under permanent military dictatorship," the two groups postulate, urging the UN Secretary General to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma before or during his anticipated visit to the country in December.

The Burmese government, on September 23, released 9,002 prisoners. But according to the two groups only 10 political prisoners were included in those released. Additionally, Win Htein, a senior assistant to detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, though initially released on September 23, was re-arrested the following day.

The report, released on Monday, also said the UN, which has adopted successive resolutions since 1991 on Burma, has failed to force the junta to implement reforms and pressed the world body to take sterner action against Burma's ruling junta.

Tate Naing, Secretary of the AAPP-B, said "We want all members of the UN to come together and take stronger action against the Burmese junta."

However, the Burmese junta has repeatedly denied having any political prisoners in jails across the country, instead stipulating that everyone detained, including Burmese democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, is held for violating existing laws of the country.

But former UN human rights envoy to Burma Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, said the junta shot dead at least 31 people and arrested thousands of activists during in the suppression of last September's mass protests.

"Within the past year, human rights abuses have escalated and the junta has arrested at least 700 to 900 political activists since the crackdown," said Tate Naing.

The two groups say that with the increasing number of political prisoners, the UN, in order to save the people of Burma from the junta's plan to legitimize its rule through a sham constitution and election, should take a stronger stand.

"We strongly urge the United Nations to stand for the people of Burma by taking effective measures without further delay," the two rights groups put forth.