Amnesty International warned the US and British governments tonight that the rights of the Iraqi people must be protected as warplanes bombed Baghdad for the first time in two years.
While the Alliance claims to have targetted military installations only, Iraq has said a civilians, including children, have been injured.
"We are demanding immediate assurances from the UK and US governments that they will fully respect international law and the human rights of the Iraqi people", an Amnesty spokesperson said.
"Given well-documented concerns over the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and reports that civilians in Iraq have been injured tonight, Prime Minister Blair and President Bush must ensure that under no circumstances should Iraqi civilians be targeted".
In Britain, left-wing Labour MP Mr Tony Benn called for the immediate recall of parliament over the raids.
He wrote to the British prime minister Mr Tony Blair tonight, saying: "I am writing to ask for the immediate recall of Parliament to allow the Defence Secretary to make a statement about today's bombing of Iraq by American and British aircraft, and answer questions from MPs.
"These attacks cannot be justified in international law and will certainly increase tension in the area at a time when the Palestinian Israeli situation is worsening."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Mr Paul Keetch said the party understood why the air strikes had taken place but insisted British and American involvement needed to be kept under constant review.
PA