International artists including Kristin Davis, Keira Knightley, Yoko Ono, Scarlett Johansson, Coldplay, Tim Roth, Annie Lennox and Kevin Spacey have joined forces to demand governments take immediate action to help improve regulation of the international arms trade.

The stars combined to send a joint letter to Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations urging government to adopt an Arms Trade Treaty calling the lack of strong global regulations a “ridiculous situation.”

An effective Arms Trade Treaty would be based on a “Golden Rule”: if there is a substantial risk that arms exported to another country are likely to be used for serious human rights abuses; violations of international humanitarian law; or to undermine sustainable development, those arms supplies must be stopped.

The artists wrote:

“As supporters of Amnesty International and Oxfam, we urge governments to step forward and deliver a robust, effective treaty that protects human rights. A treaty that puts a stop to the needless deaths and injuries which occur every day as a result of armed violence and conflict. The decisions taken around this treaty really are a matter of life and death.”

The full list of signatories includes:

• Gillian Anderson Actor, USA.
• Los Aterciopelados Musicians, Colombia.
• Harry Belafonte Singer, songwriter, actor and social activist, USA.
• Gael Garcia Bernal Actor, Mexico.
• Paul Bettany Actor, UK.
• Jane Birkin Actor/Singer, UK.
• Miguel Bose Singer, Spain.
• Rahul Bose Actor, India.
• Helena Christensen Photographer and model, Denmark.
• Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion Members of Coldplay – Rock band, UK.
• Jennifer Connelly Actor, USA.
• Paul Conroy War photographer, UK.
• Sophie Dahl Writer and model, UK.
• Kristin Davis Actor, USA.
• Andrea Echiverri Musician, singer and guitarist, Colombia.
• Los Fabulosos Cadillacs Musicians, Argentina.
• Livia Firth Film Producer and Eco-Age Creative Director, UK.
• Anjelica Huston Actor, USA.
• Eddie Izzard Comedian, actor and writer, UK.
• Bianca Jagger Chair of Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, UK.
• Emmanuel Jal Musician and activist, South Sudan
• Scarlett Johansson Actor, USA.
• Angelique Kidjo Singer, Benin.
• Keira Knightley Actor, UK.
• Annie Lennox Singer/songwriter, UK.
• Baaba Maal Singer/musician, Senegal.
• Bill Nighy Actor, UK.
• Yoko Ono Artist, author and peace activist, Japan.
• Emma Pooley Olympic cyclist, UK.
• Tim Roth Actor and director, UK.
• Kevin Spacey Actor, director and producer, US.
• Dave Stewart Musician and record producer, UK.
• Imelda Staunton Actor, UK.
• Vivienne Westwood Fashion designer, UK