LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan says that Washington’s present policies are undermining the human rights and basic freedoms of large populations, especially in the Middle East and are, in fact, contributing to an upsurge in violence in Pakistan and other Muslim countries.

A HRCP statement said the US president’s warped view on the war on terror and blind support for an autocratic regime in Pakistan had only added to the hardships of the Pakistani people.

“It is hoped that Pakistan’s transition towards a democratic, peaceful and tolerant society facilitate the building of Pak-US relations on the firmer foundation of respect for the rights of members of the human family.

“While we fully understand the requirements of state to state relations, and of courtesy towards guests, the HRCP cannot ignore the fact that President George W Bush has a great deal to answer for.

“Apart from the fact that the human rights situation within the US has continued to decline during the Bush presidency, of greater concern to HRCP is the treatment meted out to prisoners, including Pakistanis, held at Guantanamo Bay and other centres of detention. Some of these persons were captured from theatres of war, others were lifted from their and whisked away without due judicial process.