30 April 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Leisa Goodman
Human Rights Director
Church of Scientology International
6331 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6329
Phone (323) 960-3500
Fax (323) 960-3508
E-mail humanrightsdir@scientology.net
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY ESTABLISHES YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CHAPTER IN NEW DEHLI
The founder and youth spokesperson of a newly formed Indian chapter of the Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) organization completed their first series of government meetings this week, introducing this new campaign to promote and teach human rights to all children in India. Founder Rejeev K. Jain and his 13-year-old daughter, Natasha Jain, the national youth spokesperson, both reside in New Delhi.
The forming of the group follows a short visit last month by educator and Director of the LA-based YRHI, Mary Shuttleworth which was part of a 45,000 mile, 13 country Youth for Human Rights World Educational Tour. Ms. Shuttleworth, accompanied by her son, Taron Lexon, a recent graduate of Los Angeles Film School, embarked on the 35-day tour, leaving LA on February 7. Mr. Jain, first became interested in the project after meeting Ms. Shuttleworth and he and Natasha decided to spearhead the effort in India.
In the last week, Mr. Jain and Natasha have spread their human rights message through meeting with representatives of the Home Affairs Ministry, the national police and the National Security Guard. Natasha has also met with young children at local orphanages and schools. All expressed strong interest in the campaign as well as the Youth for Human Rights’ What are Human Rights? illustrated booklet, which lays out all 30 articles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in language that children can understand.
As reported recently in the national Hindi daily newspaper, Rashtriya Saraha, Mr. Jain and Natasha recently had the honor of meeting with His Excellency President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. As also reported, Natasha has been selected to represent India at an international youth summit that will be held at the UN in New York in July. As with the World Tour, this event will be coordinated by YRHI, the Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance and the Church of Scientology International.
Natasha, who is currently studying in ninth grade at the Happy School, Darya Ganj, Delhi, states in the article that her dreams are to educate all children in India about human rights, to make all school text books contain a chapter about human rights and to one day open a school called the "L. Ron Hubbard School of Human Rights."
For more information, visit:
www.youthforhumanrights.org
www.humanrightsandtolerance.org
back
