THERE has been a generalized rejection throughout the world for the 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights, published in the first week of March by the U.S. State Department.

Described as unilateral, disrespectful and of an interfering content, its launch could not be more contradictory at this current time, when the policy and behavior of the United States is coming under harsh criticism for openly infringing those rights.

Also, the report could not come at a more inopportune time, given that it was published just a few days before President Bush’s announced tour of certain countries in Latin America that it holds to account within that document.

There was no need to wait for reactions against the report: the Brazilian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it did not recognize the legitimacy of reports drawn up unilaterally by counties using domestic and politically inspired criteria.

"Unilateral attitudes on and evaluations of such subjects are unacceptable, given that they militate against the principle of universality and not being selective in terms of human rights," was the Brazilian response.

For its part, a statement by Francisco Ramírez, Mexican minister for interior governorship, called for respect for that country. He informed the press that if the Mexican authorities decided to undertake a study of the human rights situation in the United States, "maybe it wouldn’t get off so lightly."

From Caracas, Germán Mundaraín, the Venezuelan people’s human rights ombudsman, said that the government of the United States is using human rights to "stigmatize those countries that disagree with its policies."

He stated that "the basic condition for speaking of human rights is having a commitment to peace," something far from Washington’s doing.

"The most warmongering government in the world lacks the moral basis for speaking about human rights. What is taking place in Afghanistan and Iraq is a shame on humanity and these are not examples that a civilized government should be demonstrating to us," he affirmed.

He commented that Washington’s document merits the credibility of "an encyclopedia written by Al Capone."

Speaking on behalf of the Bolivian government to the EFE news agency, Deputy Justice Minister Renato Pardo expressed his "astonishment and indignation" over the U.S. view that its justice system is corrupt and qualified the report as "thoughtless" and at a far remove from reality.

Contrary to the views expressed by other Latin American countries, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said that he was satisfied with what he called Washington’s acknowledgement, causing consternation in the minds of observers, given that the report, although stating that Colombia improved during 2006, notes that extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, military collaboration with illegal groups and impunity, amongst other crimes, continue in that nation.

The Chinese government rejected U.S. judgments on human rights in that nation, describing them as lacking foundation.

"We would like to advise the United States to concern itself more with its own human rights-related matters and stop interfering in the internal policies of other nations," announced Qin Gang, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry.

Media information has stated that China is to publish its own report on the human rights situation in the United States.

Harsh criticism also came from Russia in a savage attack on U.S. double standards. Konstatin Kosachev, president of the Committee in the Duma, underlined that, on the other hand, the report makes no reference to the mass violations of fundamental human rights on the part of the United States in the Guantánamo prison camp, the CIA secret jails in Europe, or through its occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Prior to and during Bush’s five-country visit to Latin America, thousands of people have demonstrated against the president’s presence and the disastrous policy of his government in the region.

In Guatemala, there were popular street protests over the treatment meted out to immigrants from that country in the northern nation, where they are mistreated and imprisoned.

In Sao Paulo, thousands of demonstrators protested over the U.S. warmongering policy and managed to paralyze the city center.

In Uruguay, workers’ organizations organized marches condemning the Free Trade Treaties and the neoliberal policy that prejudice the countries of Latin America.

In Mexico, young students came out onto the streets to protest at Bush’s visit.

A multitude of attacks took place in Bogotá, despite the large-scale military deployment to protect Bush.