Time Lord David Tennant turns freedom fighter for charity book

Oct 12 2008 By Toby Mcdonald

DOCTOR WHO is out to save the human race once again - as a campaigner for freedom.

David Tennant has written the foreword for a book celebrating the 60th birthday of the Declaration of Human Rights.

Each of the declaration's 30 articles is represented by a colourful illustration to get the message across not just to adults but children.

The Scots star wrote in the Amnesty International book: "There are so many of us humans squeezing on to this wee planet and there's no Tardis coming to spirit us away.

"We need to look after each other." The declaration inspired the founding of Amnesty.

David added: "It represented such a simple idea: that everyone everywhere deserved to be treated fairly."

"The UDHR reads like a list of common sense - maybe everyone should have a copy pinned up in their bedroom."

Mr Bear creator Debi Gliori illustrated Article 19: "We all have the right to make up our own minds, to think what we like, to say what we think and to share our ideas with other people."

Scots writer Debi was inspired by her Jesuit uncle, the sole survivor of an attack by bigots on his mission in Africa.

She said: "I suppose that was the first inkling in my mind that things on the other side of the world were very different from in Glasgow."

Other contributors include Polly Dunbar, whose Hole Story sold almost a million copies, and Ottoline series creator Chris Riddell. Amnesty director Kate Allen said: "The world of 2008 needs the UDHR just as much as the world of 1948."

The book is available in 30 languages. To order visit www.amnesty.org.uk/books

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