It says police were often reluctant to pursue investigations against people affiliated with the ruling parties, and the government frequently used the law-enforcers for political purposes.

Under Secretary for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky from a special briefing announced the release of the 2004 human rights report styled "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices".

Conducted by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, the report was submitted to the Congress by the Department of State.

The 28th edition of the country reports turns spotlight on 196 countries, ranging from the stoutest defenders to the worst violators of human dignity.

The report says, "...the judiciary was subject to influence from the executive and the legislature. Lower judicial officers were reluctant to challenge government decisions and suffered from corruption."

It however mentions the higher levels of the judiciary "displayed some degree of independence and often ruled against the Government".

Referring to the newly formed Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), the report says, "The Rab and security forces committed human rights abuses and were rarely disciplined, even for egregious actions.

"Security forces committed a number of extrajudicial killings. The police; the paramilitary organization, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR); the auxiliary organization, Ansar; and the military deputed to the Rab used unwarranted lethal force," it says.

On religious freedom, it says religious freedom was restricted and societal discrimination against religious minorities, persons with disabilities and indigenous people was a problem.

It adds that police often employed excessive, sometimes lethal, force in dealing with opposition demonstrators and police and Rab personnel routinely employed physical and psychological torture during arrests and interrogations.

It further says, "Police corruption remained a problem. Nearly all abuses went unpunished, and the climate of impunity, reinforced by 2003 legislation shielding security forces from legal challenge of their actions, remained a serious obstacle to ending abuse and killings.

"Violence, often resulting in deaths, was a pervasive element in the country's politics," it comments, adding, "Police searched homes without warrants, and the government forcibly relocated illegal squatter settlements."

On newspersons, the report says 'virtually' all journalists practiced some self-censorship. Attacks on journalists and efforts to intimidate them by government officials, political party activists and others increased.

The report goes on to say that the government limited freedom of assembly, particularly for political opponents, and on occasion, limited freedom of movement.

"Violence and discrimination against women remained serious problems, as did trafficking in women and children for the purpose of prostitution and at times for forced labor. Abuse of children and child prostitution were problems."