LONDON, Britain: An international human rights group said Governments worldwide trampled on human rights again last year, but the tide is finally changing as a growing number of people challenge their actions.

The US, Israel, Britain and other European countries came under fire for violations such as advocating torture, imprisoning thousands of people without charge and eroding the rule of law in the fight against terrorism.

The London-based Amnesty International also rounded on China, Russia, Sudan and Colombia in its annual report on the state of the world's human rights.

150 countries came under scrutiny, with Amnesty highlighting their failings over 2005 and making recommendations for improvements this year.

Amnesty's secretary general Irene Khan said: "Governments collectively and individually paralyzed international institutions and squandered public resources in pursuit of national security interests."

They also "sacrificed principles in the name of the 'war on terror' and turned a blind eye to massive human rights violations," she said.

It criticized Israel for allowing its security forces and settlers to perpetrate abuses against Palestinians with no fear of being brought to justice.

It described Israel as turning a blind eye to abuses against the Palestinians in contrast to the pursuit of Palestinians through trials which often failed to meet international standards.