DHAKA, Feb 26: The United States has termed the Bangladesh government's human rights record of last year as "poor", accusing it of continuing to commit serious abuses.

"Nearly all abuses went unpunished, and the climate of impunity remained a serious obstacle to ending abuse and killings," says the Bangladesh chapter of the US State Department's report on human rights practices for 2003, sent to the Congress on Thursday.

It referred to deaths of 81 people as a result of the use of lethal force by police and other security forces. Another 113 people died in prison and police custody during the year.

The US report, quoting human rights organizations, said more than 430 people were killed and 6,281 injured in politically-motivated violence in Bangladesh last year. "Police were often reluctant to pursue investigations against persons affiliated with the ruling party, and the government frequently used the police for political purposes," the report said.