A Welsh MEP visiting Iraq on a fact-finding mission has called for greater focus on monitoring human rights issues in the country.

Eurig Wyn travelled to Iraq with fellow Welsh MEP Jill Evans and colleagues from the European Parliament to examine the state of the country under sanctions brought in by the United Nations.

Refugees in Iraq

The delegation has stated it supports the "No to War" message and the MEPs' mission is to assess the damage after 10 years of sanctions.

But the trip has been condemned by Conservative, Liberal and even Labour MEPs, including Wales' Eluned Morgan.

Mr Wyn told BBC Wales that he had heard reports of 3,000 Iraqi children dying each month, of medical supplies unable to enter the country under UN sanctions.

He said he had not been restricted from visiting anywhere he wished to, including a refugee camp for Turkish Kurds in the north of the country.

"We want to see the catastrophic effect of sanctions on the country," he said.

Eurig Wyn is going to Iraq

"The investigations should not merely concentrate in Iraq on weapons of mass destruction, but also view human rights violations.

"Our being here is a symbolic gesture. We can build a consensus for peace."

The Iraq visit follows in the wake of an anti-war march in Swansea at which Jill Evans spoke in strongly anti-American terms.

Jill Evans MEP: Visit to hospital

She has visited Iraqi hospitals to examine the impact on the nation's health.

"We must not let the leaders of any militarily or economically powerful nation set the future scene for more bullying, posturing and intimidation," she said.

"Any weapons of mass destruction and the political hegemonies they encourage do not promise a secure future for anyone on this earth.

But some fear the trip will be manipulated by the Iraqis for their own benefit.

Conservative leader Jonathan Evans branded it "a disgraceful act of political ego that dangerously serves to support Saddam Hussein".

Meanwhile in Iraq, the delegates are being briefed by UN humanitarian and other relief organisations such as the World Food Programme, World Health Organisation, UNICEF and UNHCR, before splitting-up on the last day.

On the last of their four-day visit, half the delegation will visit Erbil in the autonomous Kurdish region in the north, while the other half will fly to the southern city of Basra.

Delegates hope to visit a children's ward in the local hospital and tour the demilitarized zone separating Iraq and Kuwait.