The war on terrorism has massively eroded human rights, campaigners have warned.

In its annual report, Amnesty International said that people are more insecure than at any time since the Cold War.

The charity claims that efforts by governments around the world to fight terror groups like al Qaeda has led to human rights being ignored, the rule of law undermined and scrutiny of leadership decisions curtailed.

Religious tensions have also been increased by the wars in the Gulf and Afghanistan, the group believes.

It warned that while the world's focus has been on events in Iraq, other tragedies in the Ivory Coast, Colombia, Burundi, Chechnya and Nepal have been overlooked.

Amnesty also highlighted the plight of more than 600 people still held by the US in Guantanamo Bay and the changes made by home secretary David Blunkett to the Terrorism Act extending the length of time a suspect can be held without trial.

"It is vital that we resist the manipulation of fear and challenge the narrow focus of the security agenda," said Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen.

"The definition of security must be broadened to encompass the security of people, as well as states.

"That means a commitment to human rights. That means recognising that insecurity and violence are best tackled by effective, accountable states which uphold, not violate human rights."

The group warned that Iraq could end up like Afghanistan with returning refugees facing an uncertain and insecure future.

"There is a very real risk that Iraq will go the way of Afghanistan if no genuine effort is made to heed the call of the Iraqi people for law and order and full respect of human rights," said Allen.