China was rebuked for denying religious freedom to Tibetans and other human rights violations in a report published Tuesday by Britain's Foreign Office.The annual human rights report said China has made little progress toward a peaceful settlement in Tibet and accused Beijing of ignoring human rights there and harassing people for their religious beliefs. The report came as tension is high in Tibet and in Tibetan communities in nearby provinces following protests against Chinese rule of Tibet turned violent and were crushed by authorities.

"Violations of human rights continue in Tibet," the report said. "We continue to make clear our view that the best way to improve the situation in Tibet is through meaningful dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama and his representatives, without preconditions, to achieve a long-term peaceful solution."



The Dalai Lama's representatives re-established formal contact with China in 2002 after years of silence. They have met six times since, most recently last June in China.

But Chinese officials say they will not talk with the Dalai Lama until he stops "separatist activities" and acknowledges that Tibet and Taiwan are parts of China.

The Dalai Lama insists he is seeking greater autonomy but not independence for Tibet.

Iraq (web|news), Afghanistan, Russia, Pakistan and Iran were among other countries criticized by Britain.

Relations between Russia and Britain have been strained for some time. The report said there had been a "shrinking of the democratic space" in Russia the past 18 months, with restrictions put on journalists and opposition parties and xenophobia increasingly prevalent. Two journalists were murdered in Russia last week.

Britain had hoped that the end of President Vladimir Putin's reign might usher in a period of better relations with Moscow, but President-elect Dmitry Medvedev has said there will be little change.

On Tuesday, the British oil company BP PLC said it was recalling 148 employees from Russia after running into visa problems. BP has come under mounting pressure from Russian authorities.

The report said that in Iraq, the "foundations are being laid" for a society that respects human rights, but added that sectarian violence, lawlessness and violent insurgency remain widespread.

"The Iraqi Police Service has come some way in its capability to maintain public order, investigate crimes and arrest suspects, but the culture of abuse and repression within the Iraqi security forces remains," the report said. It added that Iraq's justice system is "vulnerable to pressure from political or sectarian groups."

There has been a "significant deterioration" in key human rights areas in Iran, with the regime "paranoid" about international criticism of its nuclear ambitions and economic mismanagement, the report said.

Saudi Arabia (web|news) and Afghanistan are criticized for abuses of women's rights, while the report said Pakistan made "little progress" during 2007 toward improving its human rights record amid a state of emergency declared by President Pervez Musharraf.

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