October 5, 2005

NEW YORK – Two figures from Queens were prominent at a recent seminar at the Church of Scientology New York, put on by Youth for Human Rights International.

Rev. N.J. L'Heureux, Jr., Executive Director of the Queens Federation, talked about the historical role Queens served in the history of religious freedom in the US, with the Flushing Remonstrance being the site of the first declaration of freedom of belief, not just for the persons making the statement, but for all people.

Athina Krikeli, well known Greek film maker and international media correspondent, now working out of Astoria, visibly moved her audience, telling the group of youth and adults of the courage required for human rights reporting, when the safety of your subjects is even more important than the reportage.

The forum, at the Church of Scientology just off Times Square, also included speakers from the US, Russia, Hong Kong, and Trinidad, and is part of a continuing international campaign which has included international conferences at the UN and UNICEF House, aimed at educating youth in particular about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"It is vital that people respect one another's rights," said Ms. Hannah Mets, a young actress who is the President of the group's New York branch, speaking at the conference. "Knowing your rights and respecting the rights of others, are the real keys to peace."

Ms. Krikeli presented her documentary, "The Enclaved," about Greek-Cypriots victims of the 31 years of a Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus.

Another short film begun the conference: an award-winning human rights music video, UNITED, a film made by 19-year-old Taron Lexton, of Youth for Human Rights, presenting the case for human rights awareness with aesthetic and emotional impact.

Other panelists shared their personal viewpoints on the costs of a lack of human rights education, from religious freedom issues to environmental health.

For those interested in further information on the Youth for Human Rights program or UNITED, Ms. Mets suggested going to http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/.

Church of Scientology New York