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Scientology commits to human rights

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Contributed by: Eden Stein on 1/7/2007

The Church of Scientology of Pasadena has announced an even greater commitment in 2007 to combating human rights violations and increasing awareness through its education program.

Last June, the Church and Youth for Human rights International (YFHR) released a series of public service announcements to bring to life the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 30 or 60 second video spots. Appealing to young and old, these powerful PSAs have now aired on more than 2,200 TV stations, to 280 million people in 60 countries around the world. They have also been playing in sports stadiums, concert halls, schools, movie theatres, shopping malls and even city buses. They can be seen in the local cable stations Channel 56 in Pasadena and Channel 3 in the San Gabriel Valley.

To spread its message further, YHRI representatives embarked on a world tour covering 60,000 miles last July and August. The tour, "30 Days -30 Events-30 Rights," began and ended in Los Angeles and visited Canada, eight countries in Europe, seven in Asia as well as Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands. Events were held in each country, where YHRI met with government leaders and officials, human rights organizations, educators, media, students, religious groups and youth groups.

"The keynote of our campaign is education," stated Eden Stein, president of the local church. "A young person who understands his human rights is starting life with the right values. He will treat people with respect, and he will not tolerate violations of these rights. By teaching youth about human rights, we are creating a generation of human rights activists."

Additionally 2006 saw the launch of the Human Rights Hero awards in countries all over the world to recognize outstanding achievements in the promotion of human rights. Local winners were also awarded and a Pasadena delegation attended the New York event last August. The awards culminated in an international ceremony held in the United Nations headquarters in New York last August. Awardees ranged from a former Army colonel from Uganda who is spearheading activities to bring an end to the use of child soldiers, to a 12-year-old student in Israel who has taken it upon himself to educate his entire school using the YHRI educational tools.

"Working hand in hand with other human rights organizations, we plan to increase public awareness of this appalling human rights abuse. We cannot allow slavery in the 21 st century," said Stein.

By the close of 2006, 80 Youth for Human Rights groups or chapters existed in 36 countries.

For more information, contact Eden Stein, (626)792-7533 or eden@edenstein.com.

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