Press Release:
24 September 2013
The Church of Scientology Celebrates United Nations International Peace Day
The Church of Scientology acknowledged the importance of human rights with a with a display of the Youth for Human
Rights education materials as part of the United Nations International Peace Day, September 21.
The display at the Mangere Town Centre attracted passing shoppers who were able to sign a Pledge for Peace and read
about the 30 Articles of the United Nations Human Rights Declaration.
“There is a lot of interest in human rights in this day and age and how it relates to the conflicts, not only in far
away lands, but also right here in New Zealand,” said Rita Peters. “We believe human rights starts at home and this is
why we teach the subject so as people can see their practical use and exercise them.”
The International Day of Peace was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981 as a day devoted to
strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. In his message for this day, UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “On this International Day of Peace, let us pledge to teach our children the value
of tolerance and mutual respect. Let us invest in the schools and teachers that will build a fair and inclusive world
that embraces diversity. Let us fight for peace and defend it with all our might.”
In 1948, the authors of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized that “the inherent dignity
and …equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in
the world.”
Volunteers from Scientology Churches around the world work to build that foundation through human rights education.
The Church of Scientology published Scientology: How We Help—United for Human Rights, Making Human Rights a Global Reality, to meet requests for more information about the human rights education and awareness initiative the Church supports. To
learn more, visit www.Scientology.org/humanrights.
Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream,” and the Scientology religion is based on the principles of human rights. The Code of a Scientologist calls on all
members of the religion to dedicate themselves “to support true humanitarian endeavors in the fields of human rights.”
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ENDS