.:: SAMAA - US concerned over human rights situation in Pak

WASHINGTON: America has expressed concerns about human rights situation in Pakistan on Thursday.

In a report concerning human rights being released by American Foreign Department, it is being said that the human rights situation in Pakistan still remains challenging.

The report particularly named extra judicial killings and the issue of missing people as major problems.

AGENCIES ADD

The United States reported Thursday that US-backed governments in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq had mixed results in protecting human rights in 2009.

"The security situation in Afghanistan deteriorated significantly because of increased insurgent attacks, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence," the State Department said in an annual report on human rights abuses worldwide.

With violence over a third of the country, President Hamid Karzai's government had trouble extending its influence and providing essential services, especially in rural areas.

It also highlighted August presidential elections marked by charges of "widespread fraud, insufficient conditions for participation by women, and a concerted effort by the Taliban to disrupt the voting.

"Nevertheless, more polling stations opened than in previous elections, the media and public debated political alternatives, and the election followed the constitutional process," it said.

In neighboring Pakistan, it added, "significant human rights challenges remain" even though the civilian authorities took some "positive steps."

The report said human rights abuses continued in Iraq even the security situation had improved.

"There were reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings in connection with the ongoing conflict, and insurgent and terrorist bombings, executions, and killings continued to affect all regions and sectors of society," it said.

It added that "violence against the media was common, and media workers reported that they engaged in self-censorship." SAMAA/AGENCIES