2007 was the inaugural year of the ‘Protect the Human’ playwriting competition with over 200 plays submitted. The judges - Rufus Norris, Nina Steiger and Simon Stephens as well as representatives from Amnesty International UK and iceandfire – shortlisted fiji land by nick gill, The Stay by Cameron Grant and S-27 by Sarah Grochala and each received a rehearsed reading at the Soho Theatre during ‘Protect the Human’ week in October 2007.

“This is a fascinating, original play with great contemporary and historical significance.” Audience member on fiji land.

The winning play, S-27, was announced on the 10th December 2008, International Human Rights Day.

"Beautifully judged. There is no comment on the characters, it gradually paints the picture of the world that they’re in and the brutality of it. It makes what you hear about genocide/totalitarianism real and relevant to our society." Audience member

The 2007 competition was supported by Coutts Charitable Trust, The Peter de Haan Charitable Trust, The Strauss Charitable Trust and The Garfield Weston Foundation.