UK  human rights report examines rights record of terror groups, not just states News
UK human rights report examines rights record of terror groups, not just states

[JURIST] Britain's Foreign & Commonwealth Office has released its Human Rights Annual Report 2004, placing new emphasis on the denial of human rights by terrorist groups, not just governments. In introducing the report in London Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said "in the past the gravest attacks on human rights came from states – the Gulag in the Soviet Union, apartheid in South Africa, the crimes of Saddam Hussein. There is a need to recognize non-state groups – from militias in Darfur to international terrorists – as perpetrators of the some of the worst attacks." Some human rights activists have labeled the emphasis on non-state activities as "bizarre" and wonder if it's an attempt to divert attention away from the actions of governments. Read a transcript of Straw's remarks at the launch of the report. BBC News has more.