US admits human rights stumbles

The US administration has told the United Nations that America's human rights record is less than perfect but stressed the country's political system has built-in safeguards that promote improvements.

In its first-ever report to the UN Human Rights Council on conditions in the United States, the State Department said on Monday that some Americans, notably minorities, still are victims of discrimination.

Despite success in reforming such inequities as slavery and the denial of women's right to vote, the department said, considerable progress is still needed.

"Although we have made great strides, work remains to meet our goal of ensuring equality before the law for all," it said.

The report noted that although the United States now has a black president and that women and Hispanics have won greater social and economic success, large segments of American society suffer from unfair policies and practices.

High unemployment rates, hate crime, poverty, poor housing, lack of access to health care and discriminatory hiring practices are among challenges the report identified as affecting blacks, Latinos, Muslims, South Asians, American Indians and gays and lesbians in the United States.

The report, which drew on meetings that US officials held with various groups around the country since January, also cited concerns from civil rights activists and citizens related to immigration and racial profiling by law enforcement agencies.

The 29-page report was submitted to the Human Rights Council on Friday but was not published until Monday.

Members of the council, which the United States joined only last year, are required to submit reviews of their rights records. The report was the first Universal Periodic Review produced by the United States.

In one of his first moves to appease to the international community, President Barack Obama decided that the United States should run for a seat on the council.

The Bush administration had shunned the panel foryears over its alleged disproportionate criticism of Israel and membership that includes repressive governments.

The report's findings were cautiously welcomed by human rights activists but probably will draw fire from conservatives who opposed joining the council.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) praised the administration for engaging with the council but said the report neglected to deal with major areas where the United States has not met its human rights obligations.

"It is time for the US to match its human rights rhetoric with concrete domestic policies and actions and create a human rights culture and infrastructure that promote American values of equality and justice for all," said Jamil Dakwar, director of the ACLU's human rights program.