UNITED NATIONS, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Growing insecurity severely undermined human rights in Iraq, the UN Assistance Mission for the country (UNAMI) said in a report released Tuesday.

    The enjoyment of human rights in Iraq continues to be severely undermined by growing insecurity, high levels of violence, and a break down in law and order resulting from the action of militias and criminal gangs, the report noted.

    The mission stressed that the right to life continues to be severely affected by the ongoing insurgency, terrorist attacks, as well as by revenge killings and action by armed groups, adding that women, children and professionals, including academics and judges, are increasingly targeted by the on-going violence.

    The Human Rights Report, which covers the period from March through April, also pointed out that on-going military operations, especially in western and central Iraq, have also severely affected the enjoyment of human rights and have resulted at times in the loss of life of civilians. Enditem