Scientologists have shown dedication in their work throughout the past five decades to defend and uphold human rights and religious freedom — not only to preserve their own, but also to guarantee the rights and freedoms of every citizen.
Such is especially relevant when one considers Europe, where a host of different cultures and ethnicities intermingle in close proximity, and where the vitality of each of those groups can best be nourished by the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
For these reasons and more, the Church of Scientology International in 1990 realised the need for a human rights office in Brussels, the seat for the Parliament of the European Union. The office subsequently obtained the status of a nongovernmental organisation with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
In September 2003, the Church once again dramatically increased its commitment to human rights in Europe by opening a new and much larger office building at Rue de la Loi, 91, in Brussels’ European quarter. The Church of Scientology International’s European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights houses the first permanent European exhibition on the Scientology religion and the life of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Not simply a “walk-through,” this exhibit is interactive, covering three floors and consisting of 750 displays illustrating the practice of Scientology and the exceptional results achieved by social betterment organisations that use Mr. Hubbard’s discoveries, as well as more than 320 official and personal acknowledgments of the Church and the founder for humanitarian works.
In a speech given at the opening of this facility, Mr. Janssen van Raay, former chairman of the Law Committee of the European Parliament, paid tribute to the contributions made by the Church and its members in advancing human rights throughout Europe. “Scientologists are peace-loving people,” he told the attendees. “But they fight for what they believe in. And because of their tenacity, their victories have meant that the people of Europe today enjoy more freedoms.”
To commemorate the opening of its new headquarters, the Church released a Proclamation on Religion, Human Rights and Society, which details every facet of human rights that Scientologists have sought to support and improve. It is available on the European Office of Human Rights website (www.scientology-europe.org).
The Church’s human rights headquarters in Brussels has quickly become a major resource and focal point for those seeking to help their communities. The facility provides workable answers to the problems facing those active in the field of religion, human rights and social betterment. It is regularly used by human rights and social organisations for conferences and events, and is designed to facilitate initiatives toward social betterment throughout the continent. It is a living embodiment of the principles of openness and democracy, tolerance and freedom; and as such, it is open to all.
Today, we stand at a watershed moment in history. If we work diligently and well to see that human rights are made a certainty for every man, woman and child on the face of the Earth, we may in fact attain a true and stable civilisation for all mankind, where crime, discrimination and war simply do not exist.
These are our aims; we are certain that they are your aims as well. We welcome your help, and offer our own, in fulfiling this cause.
