America cites itself in human rights report

WASHINGTON - The US State Department yesterday issued its annual report detailing human rights shortcomings around the world - and for the first time referred to its own failings.

As usual the study focuses on foreign countries, highlighting a familiar list of transgressors, headed by North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Zimbabwe, and Myanmar (Burma), as well as China.

But the US, it noted, had found that "its own journey towards liberty and justice for all has been long and difficult," and was still "far from complete".

The most striking section deals with China, whose human rights record is described as "poor". Censorship had grown last year, as had the suppression of protests of those attempting to redress grievances.

- INDEPENDENT