Once again the abysmal record of Arab region in terms of Human Right has come to the fore, as the standards of human rights continue deteriorating across the Arab world.

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, a watchdog, in its latest report has concluded that the human rights situation in the Arab region has deteriorated throughout the region over the last year.

The report, entitled Bastion of Impunity, Mirage of Reform, reviews the most significant developments in human rights during 2009 in 12 Arab countries: Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen.

The repot highlights the condition of human rights activists, muzzled press and the religious minorities.

According to the report, Arab governments take the course of repressive laws that undermine basic liberties. Absence of representative politics, and fair election processes have marred the atrocities-riddled region.

While Egypt tops the list in practicing torture, Damascus keeps treading the path of repressing human rights activists. The report says that dozens had died in the country of torture or excessive force by police over a year.

The report also found torture was "routine" in Bahrain, "rampant" in Tunisia and practiced in Saudi Arabia against terrorism suspects.

Religious and ethnic minorities also continued to suffer discrimination in several Arab countries, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the report said.

The report said that despite the Saudi regime's attempt to appear to champion religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue in international forums, in practice the national religious police continue to exhibit violent behaviour.

Egypt, where roughly ten percent of the 80-million-strong population are Coptic Christians who frequently complain of discrimination, "is increasingly acquiring the features of a religious state," it added.

The report also states that US policies were wholly inimical to reform and human rights in the region.