Church of Scientology of Moscow Announces New Human Rights Campaign

27 Sep 2006 – Church of Scientology of Moscow Announces New Human Rights Campaign

Although there have been positive developments in human rights in Russia in the 15 years since the fall of the Soviet Union, there are still many areas in urgent need of improvement. This is the concern of many groups in Russia who have taken on the responsibility to bring the country into agreement with the human rights standards laid down by the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

The Church of Scientology of Moscow has been in the forefront of this movement, working in coordination with other groups, religions and concerned individuals, to narrow the gap between human rights practices in Russia and the ideals expressed in these documents.

At a press conference this week at the Independent Press-Center in Moscow, opened by the head of the Moscow Helsinki Group, the highly respected and oldest human rights organization in Russia, the Church unveiled its newest plan to raise awareness on this issue, and create pressure to bring about human rights reforms by garnering general public support through broad scale education.

Working in conjunction with Youth for Human Rights International, the Church of Scientology International has produced 30 public service announcements that illustrate each of the articles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which was adopted by all UN member states in 1948.

These short films are so innovative and artistic that they bring each of the articles to life. They have been translated into Russian and the Church will be working with the Russian chapters of Youth for Human Rights International and other human rights groups to ensure these are aired throughout the country on television, in movie theaters and in other public places.

The Universal Declaration was born in the aftermath of World War II, with the recognition that