Photo Gallery: U2
U2 have been awarded a prestigious accolade by campaign group Amnesty International.
The band have won the 2005 Ambassador of Conscience Award for their "21 years of commitment" to equality, reports the BBC.
The body's secretary general Irene Khan said the band had shown "leadership in linking music to the struggle for human rights and human dignity worldwide has been ground-breaking and unwavering".
U2 frontman Bono is a respected campaigner on global debt issues and human rights.
Khan said: "From Live Aid in 1985 and Amnesty International's 1986 Conspiracy of Hope tour, through to Live 8, 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."
She added: "They have inspired and empowered millions with their music and by speaking out on behalf of the poor, the powerless and the oppressed."
Visit NME Video for the latest music videos and artist interviews
You may need to upgrade your Flash Player
You can download the latest flash plugin here.
If you have installed flash but keep getting this message:
1. Try to bypass flash plugin detection here.
2. Ensure you have javascript enabled in your browser.
3. Try using Firefox
Listen to more Free Music at we7.com
Comments do not always reflect the views of NME, or IPC Media, for guidelines visit our Ts & Cs page