Pressure group Amnesty International has said the United States is bankrupt of vision and bereft of principle in its fight against terrorism and its occupation of Iraq.
In its annual report published this morning, Amnesty criticised US policy for sanctioning abuses in the name of freedom.
Several European countries are also accused of human rights abuses in the report.
The organisation is critical of Britain for its policy of indefinitely detaining foreign nationals without charge for alleged involvement in terrorism.
It also accuses Britain and the United States of failing to maintain order and safety in Iraq.
France is taken to task over the mistreatment of foreigners, and Germany for allegations of police brutality.
The report is the latest in a series of in-depth studies by the human rights group.
