Stars join fight for human rights

Holding placards emblazoned with political messages, the famous lend their support today to a new human rights campaign.

Amnesty International persuaded stars such as Patrick Stewart, Courtney Love and Gordon Ramsay to be photographed for its "ground-breaking demonstration for humanity".

Others taking part include actors Tom Hollander and Christian Slater, artists Sam Taylor-Wood and Tracey Emin, designers Ozwald Boateng and Alice Temperley and director Anthony Minghella. The slogans are simple and straightforward.

They range from "Protect the human" and "Torture is terror" to "Control the arms trade" and "Stop violence against women".

The photographs - all taken by Jake Gavin - can be seen in an exhibition beginning on Thursday at the Hospital media centre, Covent Garden, and running-until 6 June. Amnesty International, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, said each person photographed was "showing their concern for the big human rights issues that are facing humanity today".

The human rights charity is hoping to "mobilise" a million supporters by 2010 and believes that the exhibition is the first in a series of campaigns that will help it achieve that aim.

Ramsay poses in a five-a-side goalmouth wearing a football shirt while holding a placard declaring: "Protect the human". He said today: "There are campaigns for lots of worthwhile causes but why not humanity? The right to a fair trial, freedom of speech, women free from abuse - these are values we should try to do more to protect.

"The message of this exhibition is simple: whoever you are and wherever you are, it has never been more important to stand up for humanity and human rights."

Emin said: "I have decided to support the stop violence against women campaign and feel passionately about it because I'm a woman and I know how it feels to be hurt. I wouldn't wish it upon anybody."

Mayor Ken Livingstone, who also features in the campaign, said: "London has always provided a haven for those fleeing from persecution and repression. Generations of refugees have enriched the life of this city.

"I fully support Amnesty International's respect for refugees campaign."

Further information can be found at www.protectthehuman.com