Grave rights abuses continue in Iraq during the first half of 2008, including targeted killings of professionals, assaults on minorities, alleged torture of detainees and attacks against women, despite great improvements in general security, a new UN report says. The report particularly expresses concern over the conditions of detainees in prisons, where they are held for months, and even years, without trial or access to legal counsel. "Grave human rights violations that are less widely reported [than general security], and the elimination of which requires long-term political commitment, remain unaddressed," the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said in its latest rights report, calling on the Government to institute a slew of steps ranging from protection of minorities and women to prompt access for detainees to legal counsel. "Ongoing widespread ill-treatment and torture of detainees by Iraqi law enforcement authorities, amidst pervasive impunity of current and past human rights abuses, constitute severe breaches of international human rights obligations," it added. The targeted killing of journalists, educators, medical doctors, judges and lawyers continues, as does criminal abductions for ransom. A great number of murders, alleged suicides and other suspected 'honour crimes were reported from the Region of Kurdistan, it noted. "Journalists and media workers remain one of the most vulnerable professional groups throughout Iraq, being subjected to threats, targeted violence, kidnappings and assassination" the report says. The situation of detainees across the country, including Kurdistan, remains "of great concern," with many being deprived of their liberty for months or even years.