State Department releases new human rights report News
State Department releases new human rights report

[JURIST] The US State Department Monday released its third annual report on American efforts to support and promote human rights around the world. In Supporting Human Rights: The US Record 2004-2005 [text], the US said it will make respect for human rights the test for its bilateral relations around the world, although it also indicated it will temper this ideology with political realities. The report promises that the US will keep up rights pressure on nations such as China, Russia, Pakistan, Libya, and Saudi Arabia. Critics, however, point to the easing of sanctions against Libya, one of the world's worst human rights violators, and the recent sale of F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan [AFP story], as evidence of the administration's difficulties in pushing its agenda in this area. Read Secretary Rice's comments regarding the report. AP has more.