Martin Scheinin, the UN watchdog on human rights and counter terrorist measures, said he was still waiting for an official response from Washington to his request to visit the United States.

Algeria, Egypt, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa and Tunisia were also still to reply to similar requests, he said.

Scheinin said he had held talks with officials from several of the countries last week.

"Five of seven of these states are members of the Human Rights Council," the 47-nation UN panel which is currently in session in Geneva, Scheinin noted.

Algeria, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa and Tunisia all sit on the Council, which was created earlier this year.

"Some of them are currently introducing new legislation while others are planning to amend or introduce new laws in the near future," said Scheinin, who has repeatedly spotlighted what he says are human rights failings in anti-terror rules around the world.

"These states, as members or participants of the Council, can play a proactive role in supporting the work" of UN human rights experts, he said in a statement.

Scheinin said that he hoped they would set an example by extending official invitations to visit.

"I believe states can combat terrorism while respecting international human rights law. In fact, this is the only effective approach," he said.

"To fall short of internationally recognised standards opens states up to being controlled by terror rather than by the rule of law."

"My mandate promotes and encourages constructive dialogue and cooperation with states, including the identification of best practices, as a means to implementing counter terrorism measures and policies while also promoting and protecting human rights. I encourage states to use this United Nations mechanism."