WASHINGTON, May 26: The Amnesty International said on Wednesday that the US-led "war on terrorism" was "bankrupt of vision" and had led to a world beset with fear and intimidation.

In its annual report, the world's leading human rights group said both the United States and Britain were using "indiscriminate and disproportionate means" in the war on terror.

Criticizing the US decision to invade Iraq, the Amnesty said both US and British authorities in that country were involved in "unlawful killings" of civilians. The group also condemned organizations like Al Qaeda for "callous, cruel and criminal attacks" that often target innocent civilians.

Such groups and governments had contributed to the most sustained attack on basic human values and humanitarian law seen in 50 years, the report said.ring the past 12 months, Amnesty pointed out, the world has been caught up in a global struggle pitting extremists like Al Qaeda against countries like the United States.

Amnesty International said the US administration had "damaged justice and freedom, and made the world a more dangerous place" in its campaign against terror. The Americans, the report added, were "violating human rights at home, turning a blind eye to abuses abroad, and using pre-emptive military force where and when they choose".

The human rights group also blamed the United States for questionable arrest and mistreatment of prisoners in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan.e report said other US allies in the "war against terror" too were ignoring international laws and sacrificing human rights in the "blind pursuit" of security.

The report said the United States and its allies made anti-terror laws that were regressive and impinged upon the rights of ethnic and religious minorities living within their boundaries.

In their zeal to fight terrorism, the report said, America and its allies had abandoned their traditions of providing protection to refugees, and had placed restrictions on freedom.

The Amnesty said the combined effect of terrorist attacks and human rights violations by governments has contributed to creating a world of growing mistrust, fear and divisions.

The organization's secretary-general, Irene Khan, said the war on terror had resulted in abuse in the name of freedom in dozens of countries. But the United States received the most criticism in the 339-page document, which details the human rights situation in 157 nations and territories.

"The pictures from Abu Ghraib have caused universal revulsion, but we should not be surprised by what we are seeing," Ms Khan said. "This is the logical consequence of the relentless pursuit of the war on terror by the United States since 9/11."

SOUTH ASIA: In India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the US-led war on terrorism has resulted in the arrest of hundreds of people on suspicion of ties to Al Qaeda or other such groups, the report said.

"Torture, disappearances, illegal executions and other violations of human rights" were routinely taking place in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the report said.

In Afghanistan, Amnesty said, the country's legal system allows the wealthy to evade justice while the poor face arrest and torture.Amnesty noted that in various Indian states the legitimate activities of human rights workers continue to be branded as "anti-national".