A human rights group says almost 30 political prisoners in Burma are on a hunger strike to protest against a recent amnesty, and to demand better living conditions.

The US Campaign for Burma says seven women in Rangoon's Insein jail began the strike a week ago.

The group says the hunger strike is in response to a clemency program that outraged critics for failing to include most political detainees.

The AFP news agency reports 22 male prisoners, including three Buddhist monks, joined the hunger strike on Monday.

Their list of demands include calls for better living conditions and improved family visiting rights.

Burma released thousands of prisoners last week in a so-called amnesty, but most of them were common criminals.

This was despite repeated international calls for the release of political prisoners who are often held for lengthy jail terms.