Jack Straw has reaffirmed Britain's commitment to human rights.

The foreign secretary defended the government's record in fighting human rights abuses by other countries.

Publishing the Foreign Office's sixth annual report on human rights, Straw rejected the idea that the government should pursue a single policy agenda.

"We do not believe there can be a one-size-fits-all human rights policy. But our goals remain the same - respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy. These principles will continue to be a core aim of British foreign policy," he said.

In a year that has been dominated by events in Iraq, there are some details about what has been achieved since the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime.

The foreign secretary set out Britain's two main aims in rebuilding a country where human rights abuses were commonplace.

"There are two strands to the UK government's human rights policy in Iraq. The first is the investigation of human rights violations under Saddam Hussein's regime. The second is to help put in place the civil, legal and political structures and the stable conditions necessary to ensure human rights are not violated in the future," Straw said.

He also sought to counter complaints by campaigners that Britain has not been more public in its condemnation of particular countries such as Zimbabwe. Diplomacy behind closed doors is more effective in achieving results, he argued.

"The government's efforts in countries where the UK has human rights concerns range from quiet, behind-the-scenes lobbying and critical engagement to public criticism, protest and targeted sanctions," he said.

Straw sought to show that the issue was a high priority for a government which had been accused by activists of ditching its goal of an ethical foreign policy and that Iraq had not dominated his department's agenda.

"In the last year the UK government has taken up human rights concerns, amongst many others, about Belarus, Cuba, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, North Korea, the DemocraticRepublic of Congo, Iran and Saudi Arabia," he said.

The report highlighted official concern over human rights issues in South East Europe, Turkey and Kenya.

The report was given a mixed response by campaigners who praised work combating torture and use of the death penalty but expressed disappointment on wider issues.

"Some good Foreign Office human rights work has effectively been overshadowed by an apparent government unwillingness to stand up to the US on key issues like the treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay and Iraq, and wrecking actions against the International Criminal Court," said UK director Kate Allen.

"While there are many impressive things in the report - not least accounts of projects funded all around the world - we would have liked to have seen the Foreign Office setting out a persuasive case for legal advice and fair trials for all 'war on terrorism' detainees and a strong defence of the International Criminal Court."