Art for Amnesty: U2 receives highest human rights award
Today, U2 band members were awarded Amnesty International's highest human rights accolade -- the "Ambassador of
Conscience" Award for 2005.
"U2 have sung themselves to where great singing comes from, that place where art and ardency meet in the light of
conscience," said Nobel Literature Laureate Seamus Heaney, upon hearing of the award to U2 band members Bono, Edge,
Larry Mullen Jr. Adam Clayton and manager Paul McGuinness.
Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan also praised the work of the band and their ongoing commitment to
human rights and Amnesty International, which stretches back over 21 years. "On the day when human rights are being
celebrated around the world and Amnesty International launches its first global music venture 'Make Some Noise', U2 is
being honoured with this year's 'Ambassador of Conscience' Award," said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty
International.
"From Live Aid in 1985 and Amnesty International's 1986 'Conspiracy of Hope' tour, through to Live 8 this past July, U2
has arguably done more than any other band to highlight the cause of global human rights in general and Amnesty
International's work in particular. Their leadership in linking music to the struggle for human rights and human dignity
worldwide has been ground-breaking and unwavering. They have inspired and empowered millions with their music and by
speaking out on behalf of the poor, the powerless and the oppressed."
Bill Shipsey, founder of "Art for Amnesty" -- the organization's global artist support network that organises the annual
Award event -- said that "for their art and music alone U2 would be worthy candidates of Amnesty International's most
prestigious human rights Award. With songs like 'Pride (In The Name of Love)', 'MLK', 'Miss Sarajevo', 'Mothers of the
Disappeared', 'Walk On' (written for Burmese political activist Aung San Syu Kyi), and of course the song that has
become an anthem to Amnesty, 'One', U2 has helped spread the human rights message of Amnesty International to a global
audience."
He continued, "But U2 is, and always has been, about much more than just music. Band members have used their music and
celebrity to champion countless human rights causes. Through their more recent involvement with DATA and The One
Campaign they have brought the issues of debt, aid and trade -- particularly as they affect Africa -- to the world's
attention. They have shown that it is not enough to leave it to the politicians and 'traditional' world leaders to
change the world. They have empowered and inspired millions of people with their music, their example and their action."
The Award announcement also cited U2's promotion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which features
prominently on a giant video screen during all concerts on U2's current "Vertigo" World Tour. U2's Edge is quoted as
saying that they regard the Universal Declaration as the "greatest piece of literature ever written”"
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson joined in the tributes, quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, who
stressed the importance of human rights "mattering in small places close to home". She added that "it helps to have them
matter under bright lights on a big stage in front of thousands of people”"
Background
Amnesty International's "Ambassador of Conscience" Award recognises exceptional individual leadership and witness in the
fight to protect and promote human rights.
The Award, inspired by a poem written for Amnesty International by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, aims to promote the
work of the organization by association with the life, work and example of its 'Ambassadors', who have done so much to
inspire and uplift.
U2 joins past winners, including Vaclav Havel and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson as
recipients of this distinguished human rights Award.