Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

'These are extraordinary times, with reportedly many hospitals shut in Baghdad because of looting, and many of the civilian population in fear of being attacked or raped. This underlines that it is absolutely fundamental that human rights are placed at the very heart of decisions made on Iraq.

'Human rights monitors will be an essential part of proactively protecting human rights in Iraq.'

Pointing out the immediate responsibilities of the coalition forces, Kate Allen added:

'The occupying powers must fulfil their responsibilities under the Geneva Convention to ensure the safety of the civilian population. An immediate priority must be to restore not only order but also essential supplies to people who have previously endured decades of repressive rule and the devastating effects of years of sanctions.'

Around 500 Amnesty International UK activists from across the UK participated in the three-day conference held at Queen's University, Belfast. During the weekend the organisation also held a march through the streets of Belfast urging the need to respect refugees and reject racism.

With the conference discussing issues including Guantanamo Bay and the detentions of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, Linda Wilkinson, chair of Amnesty International UK said 'In a world that seems bent on turning the clock back on human rights, Amnesty International's voice needs to be stronger than ever.'

More about the crisis in Iraq...