Human Rights Watch says the European Union has subordinated human rights in its relationships with other countries deemed useful in fighting terrorism, including Russia.

The group's annual report says Britain undermined critical human rights protections by sending suspects to countries where they were likely to face torture.

The report says Russia was one of many countries to use the war on terrorism to attack political opponents, branding them as "Islamic terrorists."

The document says Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko tightened his grip on power and maintained an assault on media, opposition and human rights groups.

It criticizes Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro for their continued failure to pursue war crimes suspects. It says intimidation and violence against ethnic minorities remained a problem last year in Serbia.

On Georgia, the report says the government has taken positive steps to prevent torture, but notes continued reports of due process violations. It also says the government of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko took important steps to protect human rights, but that many serious problems remain.

It criticizes authorities in Armenia, Azerbaijan for a continued crackdown on political opponents.