Hilary Swank has publicly apologized for attending a birthday party for Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov.

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Swank, who won Oscars for her work in "Million Dollar Baby" and "Boys Don't Cry," was criticized this week by human-rights groups who said Swank and fellow film star Jean-Claude Van Damme shouldn't have attended the Oct. 5 celebration for a leader accused of the torture, abductions and slaying of his critics and enemies.

"I deeply regret attending this event, which has thrown into question my long and deeply held commitment to the protection of human rights," E! News reported she said in a statement issued Thursday morning.

"I would never intentionally do anything that raised doubts about such commitment. I will continue to donate my time and my financial resources not only to the charities with which I am currently affiliated, but also those dedicated to the preservation of human rights. If I had a full understanding of what this event was apparently intended to be, I would never have gone."

Kevin Costner, Shakira and Eva Mendes were also invited to the event but did not attend.