April 1, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL OPENS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Durban Deputy Mayor welcomes youth human rights movement to City Hall; youth summit addresses solutions to HIV/AIDS

DURBAN, South Africa - The first South African chapter of Youth for Human Rights International (youth-hr/durbanI), founded in August 2001 to teach human rights to young people, opened March 24, 2003, in Durban City Hall in celebration of Human Rights Day in South Africa.

Scores of students, educators, human rights activists and representatives or non-governmental associations attended the ceremony, presided over by Durban Deputy Mayor Loggie Naidoo. youth-hr/durbanI’s founder and director, Mary Shuttleworth, a native South African and educator who now lives in Los Angeles, opened the proceedings. Fifteen Durban schools took part.

Accompanied by 50 members of the University of South Africa Durban Campus Choir, participants including 150 children began by marching to City Hall carrying signs bearing a message of human rights. On arrival, they were met by Deputy Mayor Naidoo.

Mr. Naidoo praised the presence of youth-hr/durbanI as a milestone for a city known for its tradition of tolerance and respect for human rights. “The launch of Youth for Human Rights International in this city confirms our status as a hospitable environment for human rights struggles,” he said, noting that the start of youth-hr/durbanI coincides with Durban becoming increasingly active in youth development programs. The first project of youth-hr/durban in South Africa will be to reduce AIDS through the education and protection of young people.

In speaking to each of the four young representatives for the campaign in their languages of Zulu, Hindi (the language of India), Afrikaans and English, Mr. Naidoo urged them to play an active role in youth empowerment projects.

After the choir and participants performed the Youth for Human Rights theme song, Mr. Naidoo concluded the ceremony by releasing “doves of freedom” from the city steps.

Those attending included representatives of the Street Lawyers Program, Durban Department of Welfare, Lawyers for Human Rights, Kwamashu Drug Action Committee, officials of the Durban Police, and the Church of Scientology South Africa, which co-hosted the event with youth-hr/durbanI.

Mrs. Shuttleworth explained that youth-hr/durbanI’s campaign is based on the booklet “What Are Human Rights?” which contains a simplified version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The booklet will soon be available in Afrikaans and Zulu.

Isabelle De Grandpere, program manager of the University of Natal-based Street Lawyers Program, observed that South Africa is moving towards making civic education an integral part of the school curriculum. “It is essential that learners are taught about democracy and human rights throughout their schooling,” she said.

youth-hr/durbanI now has offices in several countries of Europe and has launched a series of innovative projects such as essay competitions and murals to teach youth about their rights. “When you teach them through plays and other entertaining forms, they realize that these rights are also meant for them and they can ascertain if they are being violated,” said Mrs. Shuttleworth, who has 30 years of experience in the field of education.

A youth summit on human rights was convened following the ceremony. New members of Youth for Human Rights spoke of their goals for putting the Universal Declaration on Human Rights into action.

Several of the speakers emphasized the importance of helping South African youth combat HIV/AIDS, which claims thousands of young lives annually. Youth for Human Rights’ campaign includes educating children and adults on the facts about AIDS and how it is spread. Prevention through education is vital as South Africa has one of the highest rates of infection in the world, and misinformation about HIV/AIDS persists.

Youth for Human Rights International is a project of the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance. Visit the web: youthforhumanrights.org and humanrightsandtolerance.org