The United Nations warned of human rights violations by all sides in war-torn Iraq and expressed concern at the increasing number of people held on terrorist-related charges.

UN Warns of Human Rights Violations in Iraq (AFP Photo)

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) also suggested that Iraqi police and special forces have little regard for human rights during security sweeps, while insurgents' bombing campaigns against civilians and mosques could spark inter-communal clashes.

In its bi-monthly human rights report covering the period from September 1 to October 31, UNAMI said that "large parts of Iraq continue to experience a general breakdown of law and order", adding that "hundreds of civilians have been killed and wounded as a result of terrorist attacks, targeted assassinations and extra-judicial execution-style killings."

"Massive security operations by the Iraqi police and special forces continue to disregard instructions announced in August 2005 by the minister of interior to safeguard individual guarantees during searches and detaining operations," the report said.

"Repeated bombing campaigns by armed groups against civilians and mosques are increasing fears that community relations are descending into a pattern of fear, animosity and revenge."

And "ongoing military operations, especially in western and northern parts of the country, continue to generate displacement and hardship for thousands of families and to have a devastating effect on the civilian population," the report said.

UNAMI said it was also concerned about the large number of detainees held in the country.

"While progress in reviewing cases led to the release of hundreds, the overall number of detainees continued to increase due to mass arrests carried out during security and military operations," the report said.

UNAMI gave no figures on the number of those detained, but officials last month suggested some 18,000 people were being held in US- and Iraqi-run jails.

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