December 12, 2005

On Friday night, Dec. 9, people from religious, community, and human rights groups met at the Church of Scientology just off Times Square, to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

This was just one of many celebrations taking place at Scientology churches in 27 nations, and not just to mark a historic occasion. The Church and their youth program, Youth for Human Rights, announced the ramping up of their global campaign to raise public awareness of human rights.

“Tonight,” said Rev. John Carmichael at the Church’s auditorium just off Times Square, “we are releasing a new campaign called ‘Making Human Rights a Global Reality.’”

Rev. Carmichael described a new, edgy international information campaign, and showed a set of short “video stories,” which are already being aired as public service announcements, to encourage a knowledge and application of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Youth for Human Rights has already distributed millions of copies of a booklet for young people explaining the Universal Declaration, and doing so in 18 languages, as well as producing and distributing an award-winning music video, UNITED.

Recent surveys showed that over 90% of those surveyed did not know of the existence of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), despite its potential to make human rights a fact. Signed into existence in 1948, this document has now been adopted by 191 countries.

Speakers including prominent Queens clergyman, the Rev. Dr. Pedro Bravo-Guzman, Muslim rights advocate and radio personality Imam Baqui Hamed, and Dr. Larry Gell, of the International Agency for Economic Development, gave their own perspectives on the need for real human rights education, and musical performers including the Youth for Human Rights players gave even more emotional meaning to the message.

Youth for Human rights