Russian Scientologists Dedicated Month to Human Rights

In honor of the 10th anniversary of their annual Human Rights Marathon, Scientology Churches and Missions throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States have dedicated the entire month from July 5 to August 4 to human rights awareness activities.

Major events were staged in cities throughout the CIS. The month’s activities began July 5 in Kiev with the grand finale held Saturday, August 4 in St. Petersburg.

It began with a round table at the National Information Agency of Ukraine. Attorneys and civil servants participated alongside librarians and human rights activists including volunteers and staff of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union and the Kiev Science and Education Administration, a former deputy (MP) of the Supreme Rada, the Ukraine Parliament, and members of the press.

Next, a panel discussion with the interagency coordinating council responsible for law education in Kiev Oblast (province). Topics included standards in law education, creation of human rights educational TV and radio programs, and coordination of government and public human rights activities.

In city after city, including Perm, Ufa and Kharkov, volunteers erected a “Wall of Change” in the city center. Passersby symbolically wiped out human rights abuse, first by inscribing the wall with human rights violations and then erasing them, signifying individuals and groups working together to achieve human rights.

Malaya Konushennaya Street in the heart of St. Petersburg became “Human Rights Way,” with pedestrians adding their signatures and hand prints to long rolls of paper that paved the street, affirming their support of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The grand finale was a “Wall of Change” and a human rights concert. Singers, dancers and musicians entertained thousands in the heart of St. Petersburg as a musical representation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – freedom of expression.

Although the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights has existed for 63 years, many millions are trafficked into slavery, forced to live under oppressive regimes, or denied the freedom of assembly, speech or religion.

The dedicated work of Scientologists of the CIS in the field of human rights reflects their commitment to the vision of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who wrote, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”