Washington ? A number of countries vital to the U.S. war on terrorism come under harsh criticism for severe violations of basic freedoms in the annual U.S. human rights report, released Monday by the U.S. State Department.

The countries include Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkey, China and even Israel.

The “axis of evil” Iraq, Iran and North Korea was also strongly criticized for human rights abuses.

The violations range from torture in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Russia to extrajudicial killings in Pakistan to prolonged detentions without trial on the basis of evidence planted by security forces in Uzbekistan.

The survey of nearly 190 countries also charges that countries including China and Uzbekistan have used the war on terrorism as cover for crackdowns on dissidents demanding freedom and reform.

The report underscores the basic dilemma faced by the Bush administration as it struggles to hold together a coalition to combat terrorism while promoting and staying true to its own values.

Before unveiling the report, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States “will not relax” its commitment to advancing the cause of democracy because terrorism cannot thrive in places where fundamental freedoms are available.

“Freedom fights terrorism, instability and conflict,” Powell told a news conference.

Yet the 6,000-page survey immediately triggered new criticism of the administration from international human rights groups and members of Congress. One of the foremost complaints was that there is a growing gap between the United States’ policies and its practices.

“The administration is candid and accurate in pointing out the problems, but it’s still doing virtually nothing to address them,” said Thomas Malinowski, advocacy director of Human Rights Watch, an international monitoring group.

“Its argument that human rights still matters is not reflected in the alliance that the United States is forging, the money it’s spending or the military bases it’s building overseas,” Malinowski said.