PRESS RELEASES
CINCINNATI, OHIO •
Safeguarding the rights of victims of human trafficking
The Church of Scientology Greater Cincinnati held a “Human Trafficking 101” seminar September 21 to educate cvthe community on human trafficking—what it is, how to detect it and what the individual can do to help victims of this crime.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS •
Amsterdam – In a major victory for the Church of Scientology and its parishioners in the Netherlands, the Appeals Tax Court of Amsterdam confirmed today the Church of Scientology Amsterdam is operated exclusively for the public benefit and its activities are religious and ideological in nature and therefore tax exempt.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK •
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Denmark were among the hundreds of peace-loving Danes who marched in PeaceWalk on International Peace Day.
Hundreds filled the streets of Copenhagen September 21 to take part in PeaceWalk, an International Peace Day event organized by Your Global Heart (Tænk Med Hjertet) and Youth for Human Rights, the human rights initiative supported by the Church of Scientology.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY •
On Peace Day, Church of Scientology volunteers reminded people that the rights enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights are the foundation of peace.
Scientologists from Budapest and other nearby cities celebrated International Peace Day September 21 with a human rights march and street demonstration in the center of the city.
They marched to call attention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as a potent tool for peace.
LONDON, ENGLAND •
The Church of Scientology London marked International Peace Day with a human rights round table to encourage concerted action to bring peace across London.
Church of Scientology London celebrated International Peace Day September 17 with a round table featuring UN peace envoy OBE Dr. Iftikhar Ayaz. The event forwarded the UN’s 2013 International Peace Day theme: “Education for Peace.”
Public officials, artists and educators joined in a lively discussion of what the public and private sector can do to bring peace across London.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA •
The link between drugs and violent crime brings the importance of drug education into focus in light of the September 19 release of South Africa national crime statistics. Church of Scientology Pretoria marches in Women’s Month parade to promote drug prevention.
PORDENONE, ITALY •
Bringing the truth about drugs to the 41st annual Pordenone Pedala bicycle tour
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND •
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology Auckland held a human rights awareness event on International Peace Day
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Auckland celebrated International Peace Day September 21 by introducing people at Mangere Town Center to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
WASHINGTON, D.C. •
Members of Congress, ambassadors and hundreds of guests mark the first anniversary of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C.
TAIWAN •
Volunteers from Scientology Missions conduct drug education throughout the year in Taiwan public schools
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology continued to bring the truth about drugs to youth throughout Taiwan this week, carrying on the community betterment activities that earned the Church its 10th annual Religious Excellence Award September 10 from the Taiwan Ministry of Interior.
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA •
Youth at Nizhny Novgorod festival learned the truth abut drugs
Hundreds of young men and women in the town of Semyenov in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia learned the truth about drugs September 15, when a team of Scientologists was invited to bring their drug education and prevention initiative to a local youth festival. The festival was held to encourage youth to develop good habits that will help them in life.
HAMBURG, GERMANY •
African Summer Night—a celebration of cultural diversity at the Church of Scientology Hamburg—promotes the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The auditorium reverberated to the beat of drums as community leaders, neighbors and friends gathered at the Church of Scientology of Hamburg September 6 for African Summer Night, a celebration of cultural diversity.
WASHINGTON, D.C. •
African-Indian fusion reaches across diverse cultures to find common values
Leading members of the diplomatic community, including South Africa Ambassador to the U.S. Ebrahim Rasool, federal officials and community leaders, shared an evening of music dedicated to human rights September 13 at the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. The concert featured Gondwana Dawn, a group whose music reflects an abiding belief in the brotherhood of Mankind.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK •
Scientologists promoted drug-free living at Buffalo’s 11th annual Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Buffalo joined in the spirit of the city’s 11th annual Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade September 7, marching for a drug-free Buffalo.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA •
Mr. Parsu Sharma-Luital is honored for his work on behalf of refugees on World Humanitarian Day
At an International World Humanitarian Day celebration August 14 at the Church of Scientology of Melbourne, parishioners and community leaders gathered to acknowledge Mr. Parsu Sharma-Luital for his work to promote the rights of refugees.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM •
Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International and Churches of Scientology for Europe cosponsor program to bring together youth from 30 nations in the name of human rights.
Forty Youth Delegates filed into Brussels’ International Auditorium with flags held high September 6 for the opening ceremonies of the 10th annual Human Rights Summit of Youth for Human Rights International.
AZCAPOTZALCO, MEXICO •
Mexico Scientologists take every opportunity to reach youth with the truth about drugs.
In Mexico City’s northwestern borough of Azcapotzalco, volunteers from the National Scientology Organization of Mexico attended a Mexico City Ministry of Health fair in September to bring factual information about drugs and drug addiction to youth in the area. They displayed The Truth About Drugs posters and banners and distributed hundreds of copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets.
CINCINNATI, OHIO •
Reaching out to parents and students with the truth about drugs
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Cincinnati set up a booth in the heart of the city at Fountain Square to reach returning students and their parents with factual information about drugs and drug abuse.
PORTLAND, OREGON •
Community leaders gather at new Scientology Church in Portland
The Church of Scientology of Portland hosted an International Friendship Day forum and open house this summer to forward the purpose set forth by the United Nations in proclaiming this day: “that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.” Community and religious leaders from diverse backgrounds met and shared their vision for a better world.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL •
On September 20, 2013, a new drug rehabilitation center was dedicated in Kathmandu, Nepal. The opening of this new state-of-the-art center was made possible by generous financial contributions from the International Association of Scientologists.