The UN Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson, has expressed concern over new US anti-terrorism measures which target foreign visitors, especially Middle Eastern men.

It is grouping hundreds of thousands of people - the vast majority of whom are completely innocent - into particular approaches and strict controls on immigration

Mary Robinson

She told the BBC that some countries were going too far in curtailing civil liberties in the war against terrorism and that there were "worrying aspects" to the US proposals.

US Attorney General John Ashcroft has announced that thousands more foreign visitors will be photographed and fingerprinted as they enter the US.

No one from any country will be exempt from possible checks, but human rights groups have condemned the plan as officials acknowledged that men from Middle Eastern states would be most likely to be screened.

Robinson: Global division one reason for 11 September

Mrs Robinson told the BBC's Today programme that she was glad the issue had raised concern within the US.

"It is grouping hundreds of thousands of people - the vast majority of whom are completely innocent - into particular approaches and strict controls on immigration," she said.

Mrs Robinson says she will be taking stock of human rights changes since 11 September when she gives the fifth Commonwealth Lecture on Human Rights on Thursday evening in London.

"I express concern about the erosion of civil liberties and clamping down on legitimate political dissent," she said.

"It is because, in part, of the stark and unacceptable divides in our world that we are facing the kind of terrorist acts that were given particular culmination in the attacks of 11 September."

Background checks

Under the new US rules, visitors' details would be checked against databases including fingerprints gleaned from raids on terrorist training camps and anyone who showed up as a criminal or a threat could be barred from entry.

New entry checks

No country's citizens are exempt Applies to visitors staying more than 30 days Aimed at men from countries the US believes harbours terrorists Fingerprints will identify suspects even if they travel on false documents Wanted criminals as well as terror suspects will be targeted Measures to be imposed at air and sea ports

Mr Ashcroft said the new measures were a necessary response to the 11 September attacks committed by terrorists who had entered the US legally.

"This system will expand substantially America's scrutiny of those foreign visitors who may pose a national security concern and enter our country," Mr Ashcroft said as he announced the National Security Entry/Exit Registration System.

"And it will provide a vital line of defence in the war against terrorism."

But there was swift condemnation from Arab American and immigrant rights groups who said the measures were discriminatory and would probably be ineffective.