Actress Bears Witness to Crisis in Northern Uganda

12.00.00am GMT Mon 6th Dec 2004

Mirren: A passionate and articulate defender of vulnerable children.

Actress Helen Mirren met with Liberal Democrat International Development Spokesman Tom Brake yesterday (6 December) to discuss the plight of civilians - and child soldiers in particular - in northern Uganda.

Ms Mirren has just returned to London from a visit to Uganda with international aid agency Oxfam. Ms Mirren visited Kitgum town and met former abductees, peace campaigners, 'night commuters' and people living in displaced people's camps.

Mr Brake said,

"Helen Mirren is a passionate and articulate defender of the vulnerable children who have lost their childhood during 18 years of conflict in Uganda. There can be no better way of marking Human Rights Day (10 December) than for UN Security Council to address the blatant human rights abuses in northern Uganda."

Further information about Ms Mirren's trip can be found at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/press/releases/uganda_mirren061204.htm