Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International Hosts United Nations Human Rights Day Public Forum

December 8, 2005

Hollywood, California - In celebration of the 57th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration, a panel of religious and human rights leaders participated in a public forum Thursday at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood, California. Their purpose was to review the responsibility of the community in guaranteeing human rights, and to look into the role of education in bringing about human rights reforms.

Written and endorsed in 1948 in the wake of World War II, the Universal Declaration was created to ensure that future generations would never again be subjected to the brutality and inhumanity of the Holocaust. Members of Thursday's human rights panels agreed that the prevalence of terrorism, human trafficking and gang violence show the urgent need to implement the Universal Declaration, and that human rights education is vital to bring about the reforms called for in this document.

Ms. Leisa Goodman, Human Rights Director of the Church of Scientology International, informed the conference attendees of a new human rights education campaign the Church is sponsoring, which includes compelling public service announcements that promote each of the articles of the Universal Declaration, and a teachers' manual that presents human rights on a very personal level, educating youth on their rights and responsibilities.

"L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, said 'Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream,'" stated Ms. Goodman. "We firmly believe that by working together with men and women of goodwill we can accomplish this goal.

She invited all participants to sign the petition the Church of Scientology International has written, calling for heads of state and legislators "to strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance."

The conference was opened by a representative of the Dolphin Clan Chumash Tribe who honored those attending with a Native American blessing ceremony.

Ms. Norma Foster, President of the Pacific-LA Chapter of the United Nations Association spoke of the history and significance of Human Rights Day.

This was followed by a recital of each of the articles of the Universal Declaration, presented by members of Youth for Human Rights International.

Among the panelists were Ted Hayes, an advocate for the homeless; Tommy Rivers, a gang intervention expert; Tyler Hynes, actor and Youth for Human Rights International Canadian spokesperson; Lynsey Bartilson, actress and Youth for Human Rights International spokesperson; Michelle Seward, President of the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance and Nirinjan Khalsa of the Los Angeles Human Rights Commission.