May 15, 2005

NEW YORK – Teens in dozens of countries who work with Youth for Human Rights International, an educational program adopted by the Church of Scientology, were publicly honored at a special service Sunday at the Church's New York headquarters.

The group's work in human right's education was commended in a letter from Ms. Imaculee Ilibigaze, an executive in the United Nations Development Programme. Ms. Ilibigaze is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, and now helps the UN evaluate the effectiveness of their programs.

"This is a woman who knows firsthand the disastrous results when people lose respect for one another," said Rev. John Carmichael, who led the service.

Ms. Ilibigaze was not able to attend, so the letter was read and presented by Mr. Wilfrid Grey, a respected authority on the UN and author of the book, UN Jigsaw.

The letter he presented read, in part:

"This is to commend you for your vital actions on behalf of human rights education, in particular to make better known the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

"I can think of no more important action for peace, and for aiding the respect we must each have for one another, than making these rights known and applied."

"The youth that are part of your organization deserve all possible help and encouragement in their work in their home countries."

"To them and those who help organize them, may they continue and increase their efforts, and may those efforts bear the sweetest fruit possible: peace between individuals, among groups, and among nations."

Receiving the award on behalf of Youth for Human Rights International was Ms. Hannah Mets, head of the YFHR Club of Manhattan.

Church of Scientology New York