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Human Rights Conference Hosted by the Church of Scientology of
Spain
March 15, 2007
The Scientology
Creed begins with the statement, "We of the Church believe that all
men or whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights."
And it was in that spirit that the Church of Scientology of Spain
hosted a human rights forum at its Madrid headquarters last month
— to accomplish these ideals by providing some of most prominent
figures in the field the opportunity to share their ideas and coordinate
their activities.
Mr. Joaquin Antuja, President and Founder of the Foundation for Peace
and Cooperation, thanked the Scientologists present and the Church in
Madrid for the work they do to promote understanding and peace. Mr.
Antuja, who was also a guest speaker at the inauguration
of the new Church in September 2004, was referring to the Church's
support of Youth for Human
Rights (YHRI), a program of the International Foundation for Human
Rights and Tolerance, established to educate people in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights so they become valuable advocates for
tolerance and peace. Last year the Church of Scientology
International produced a series of human rights public service
announcements (PSAs) for YHRI and the Foundation for Peace and
Cooperation has adopted this campaign.
The rector of the Society of International Studies, a personal advisor
to the King of Spain on human rights matters, took up the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights in his presentation, stating that
governments, organizations and individuals must insist that these rights
are upheld for all men and women. He emphasized the first five articles
of the Universal Declaration: the recognition that all human beings are
born free and equal in dignity and rights, the right to life, and the
right to freedom from discrimination, slavery and torture.
Mr. Raul Vaquero of the Foundation for Sciences of Documentation praised
the quality of the YHRI PSAs. Since he published the 30 PSAs on his
foundation's web site there has been a surge in new visitors —
2,000,000 from all over the world.
Speakers also included the president of ARI Peru (Association for
Refugees and Immigrants of Peru in Spain), and a professor from San
Pablo Ceu University.
"This forum was a great success," said the President of the Church of
Scientology of Spain. "There are many people in our country committed
to these goals. By working together we can accomplish what L.
Ron Hubbard meant when he said, 'human rights must be made a
fact, not an idealistic dream.'"
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