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Freedom Magazine Honors Top European Humanitarians

Freedom Magazine Honors Top European Humanitarians










(PRWEB) May 10, 2005

Calling upon religious leaders and media organizations to focus on human rights and freedoms, the editors of the Church of Scientology International’s Freedom magazine presented their 2005 European Human Rights Leadership Award to three individuals who have excelled in their contributions to tolerance and understanding in Europe.

Diplomats, religious representatives, human rights activists and artists including Master of Ceremonies Cyprien Katsaris an international French-Cypriot pianist, composer and UNESCO Artist for Peace attended the ceremony at the Crown Plaza Hotel.

The first awardee was Mr J.L. Janssen van Raay who served as a member of the Committee of Development and Cooperation, and the Delegation for Relations with South-East Asia of the European Parliament.

Dr. Dimitrina Petrova, the founder and Executive Director of the European Roma Rights Center, an international human rights organization based in Budapest, Hungary, accepted her Freedom Magazine Award with the following words, “I take this award to signify solidarity with the values and principles by which I have worked for human rights. It is very important that people from other denominations accept human rights as the universal moral and legal code of our time, a code compatible with a variety of belief systems.” She continued, “By making human rights, freedom and equality central in its message and its practical efforts, the Church of Scientology has provided a positive example for other religions and faith-based organizations.”

Awardee Professor Mikhail Ivanovich Odintsov, Chief of the Department for Cooperation with Social and Religious Associations at the Office of the Ombudsman on Human Rights of the Russian Federation, stressed the importance of staying alert for human rights violations and infringements upon religious freedom. “In my opinion, it is very important that ideals of religious freedom, the relentless fight for them and crucial victories be reported on in the media. In this way the work of independent media, such as Freedom Magazine is vital in advancing human rights in Russia”, said Prof. Odintsov.

Freedom’s Chief Editor for Europe, Martin Weightman stated: “Whilst the correction of human rights abuses has been our primary focus, we also cover the solutions to social ills. We spotlight social betterment activities and programs, showing how they improve society and elevate the culture.”

He added, “These awardees have worked at the vanguard of human rights advocacy or have come to our notice for their exceptional contributions as human rights leaders.

“Humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard stated, ‘Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.’ We, at Freedom magazine consider it important to honor those who are working to make this a reality.” Weightman said.

The Church of Scientology first published Freedom magazine in 1968. With editions in 20 countries, Freedom has served as a voice of honesty and truth. Since 1988 the American edition of Freedom magazine has recognized prominent human rights advocates with its Human Rights Leadership Award. This year, in recognition of men and women who set an example for human rights leadership on this continent, the Freedom editors in Brussels instituted this annual award for Europe – the beginning of a new tradition.

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Posted on May 21, 2011 by , Reply

Church of Scientology–Final Judgment of European Court of Human Rights Defend Religious Freedom

Church of Scientology–Final Judgment of European Court of Human Rights Defend Religious Freedom











Henderson, NV (Vocus) March 13, 2010

On March 8, 2010, the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of religious associations of the Church of Scientology in Surgut and Nizhnekamsk became final.

On October 1, 2009, the European Court of Human Rights delivered the judgment in the cases NN 76836/01 and 32782/03 in favor of the churches of Scientology of Surgut and Nizhnekamsk.

The final judgment of the European Court found a violation of rights of the applicants by the Russian Federation, in particular, violation of the provisions of Article 9 of the Convention (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) in the light of Article 11 (freedom of assembly and association).

The court found that “the restricted status afforded to religious groups under the Religions Act did not allow members of such a group to enjoy effectively their right to freedom of religion, rendering such a right illusory and theoretical rather than practical and effective, as required by the Convention.

“The applications for registration as a religious organization submitted by the first and second applicants as founders of their respective groups… were denied by reference to the insufficient period of the groups’ existence. Finally, the restricted status of a religious group for which they qualified and in which the third applicant existed conveyed no practical or effective benefits to them as such a group was deprived of legal personality, property rights and the legal capacity to protect the interests of its members and was also severely hampered in the fundamental aspects of its religious functions.

“In the instant case the Russian Government did not identify any pressing social need which the impugned restriction served or any relevant and sufficient reasons which could justify the lengthy waiting period that a religious organization had to endure prior to obtaining legal personality.”

President of the Church of Scientology of Nizhnekamsk, Mr. Emir Ramazanov, stated, “the judgment of the European Court not only raises the standards of the protection of freedom of conscience and freedom of association to a new level in Russia and in Europe, but also confirms that the European standards guarantee the protection even when injustice comes from national laws.”

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. Scientologists believe that Man is an immortal spiritual being and basically good, and that the spiritual potential of Man can be restored (i.e., man can be salvaged) within one lifetime. The first church was opened in the United States in 1954. Now Scientology has over 8,300 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups and millions of members in 165 countries. In Russia there are over 40 churches and Mission of Scientology, from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.

For more information about Scientology in the Russian Federation, visit http://www.scientology.ru, http://www.scientology-moscow.ru and http://www.scientologyfacts.ru.

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Posted on May 12, 2011 by , Reply

A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) isued to block implementation of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) — European Connections & Tours, Inc. vs. Gonzalez, et al., No. 1:06-cv-00426-CC, U.S.D.C., N.D. Ga. (Temporary Restraining Order, March 07, 2006, Cooper, D.J.)



Crestview, FL (PRWEB) March 10, 2006

Citizens Against Dating Discrimination (CADD), U.S. international online dating Webmasters.

United States District Judge Clarence Cooper out of the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division issued the TRO on March 7, 2006, barring the government from enforcing the International Marriage Broker Act of 2005 against European Connections & Tours Inc. A Preliminary Injunction Hearing in this matter is now scheduled for March 20, 2006. (European Connections & Tours, Inc. vs. Gonzalez, et al., No. 1:06-cv-00426-CC, U.S.D.C., N.D. Ga.)

CADD’s stance is that IMBRA fails to protect immigrant women from abuse and also violates American men’s privacy rights in the process.

As one CADD member said:

“This law requires international dating webmasters to be policemen and collect background information on male members. The law requires this background information to be forwarded to any lady a male wants to meet at the introduction stage without regard to his privacy. Without the gentleman getting to know the lady,this information could be used as leverage by an unethical lady for financial gain and U.S. law has no jurisdiction in her country to stop her from spreading his personal information throughout the internet.”

CADD maintains that it is not fair for giant sites like Match.com to be exempt from doing background checks. Members of CADD are appalled at the law’s hypocrisy for protecting immigrant women from abuse by exempting larger corporate sites like Match.com and other similar corporate dating sites from having to abide by the law’s guidelines.

One CADD member said that we have asked the following question of feminist, politicians, and other supporters of IMBRA and yet to get an adequate answer:

“If the intent of IMBRA is to protect immigrant women from abuse, why exempt larger corporate sites with their huge male membership base of U.S. men interested in meeting immigrant women?”

Further elaboration by the same CADD member said:

“Immigrant women are just as likely to meet an abusive male on one of these larger exempted sites and maybe even more so since they have a larger male membership base than many of the smaller international sites combined”

In CADD’s research they found that Federal judges don’t often issue a TRO barring the enforcement of a federal law. CADD believes the court has shown a substantial likelihood of prevailing in this case on the merits of IMBRA being unconstitutional, unfair business practice, an invasion of male’s privacy and does not offer substantial proof that the law’s intent to protect immigrant women from abuse has merit without prejudice and equality under the law.

As one CADD member said:

“We have been working night and day to save our mom and pop websites. But, more importantly, to preserve our freedoms, liberties and the right to date whom we want without concerns that our personal information will be used as public record by citizens from other countries. It’s a tough law to fight because of popular buzz words like human trafficking, but we ask the politicians and lawmakers to look beyond the buzz words. Instead, look at the law’s prejudice and unjust implications to U.S. male citizens while at the same time it imposes stiff requirements on smaller international sites and exempts larger corporate sites with their huge male membership base.”

CADD’s other Public Release addressed many of our concerns about this law and even addressed a common sense solution at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/3/prweb354100.htm CADD believes that once lawmakers read the law (it was passed on a simple undemocratic “voice vote” in the House and a “unanimous consent” vote by the Senate) it will be repealed and replaced with common sense legislation.

CADD believes that IMBRA cannot survive serious legal challenges or media scrutiny. As stated on page 9 of the certified statement by European Connections:

“The number of foreign women profiled who are listed on websites exempted by law such as Match.com, Yahoosingle.com and Friendfinder.com dwarf the total number of profiles listed by International Marriage Brokers worldwide. For example, I have performed a search at Friendfinder.com. I found 354,166 foreign and 553,976 women listed on their site. None of these women, whether foreign or national, are protected by the act.”

CADD believes the government should repeal IMBRA now, work on common sense laws to protect U.S. male’s privacy and provide practical solutions to protecting immigrant women from abuse without causing undo hardship to smaller international dating sites in favor of exempting larger sites from the same requirements. Until such time, CADD and its members will work hard to raise awareness about these issues.

RESOURCES:

The following links are to documents issued by U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Certified Court Statement by European Connections: http://www.online-dating-rights.com/pdf/ConBrief.pdf

Brief by Lawyer for European Connections: http://www.online-dating-rights.com/pdf/ConBrief.pdf

TRO issued by the court: http://www.online-dating-rights.com/pdf/TRO.pdf

You can read IMBRA 2005 here: http://www.online-dating-rights.com/pdf/IMBRA2005.pdf

The following website is a place to discuss our online dating rights: http://www.online-dating-rights.com

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Posted on December 27, 2010 by , Reply

Church of Scientology Decision Protecting Religious Freedom in European Court of Human Rights



Church of Scientology International


Los Angeles, Ca (PRWEB) October 1, 2009

Today, the European Court of Human Rights ruled unanimously in favor of two Scientology religious groups in Russia (European Court of Human Rights: Case # 7683601 and 32782/03), finding that they have the right to be registered as religious organizations under Russian law. This decision determines that members of the Church of Scientology of Surgut and the Church of Scientology of Nizhnekamsk have the right to religious freedom and freedom of association pursuant to Articles 9 and 11 of the European Human Rights Convention.

The Church’s human rights counsel, Bill Walsh, stated: “The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights today is a great victory for religious freedom in Russia and in all 47 member countries of the Council of Europe. The case is given the highest rating of importance by the Court itself as it effectively kills the repressive 15 Year Rule, denying religious organizations rights until they have existed in the country for 15 years. Moreover, the ruling will have great impact on countries throughout the European Community that have passed similar restrictions to repress religious freedom. So it is not only a victory for religious freedom in Russia, but for religious freedom everywhere in the Council of Europe.”

In 1997, the Russian government passed laws preventing religious organizations from forming legally unless they could prove they had been in existence in their respective state(s) for 15 years. Such a law obviously discriminates against religions not established in a state for 15 years and has now been ruled as unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights.

In reaching this decision, the Court “established that the applicants were unable to obtain recognition and effective enjoyment of their rights to freedom of religion and association in any organizational form. The first applicant could not obtain registration of the Scientology group as a non-religious legal entity because it was considered to be a religious community by the Russian authorities. The applications for registration as a religious organization submitted by the first and second applicants as founders of their respective groups… were denied by reference to the insufficient period of the groups’ existence. Finally, the restricted status of a religious group for which they qualified… conveyed no practical or effective benefits to them as such a group was deprived of legal personality, property rights and the legal capacity to protect the interests of its members and was also severely hampered in the fundamental aspects of its religious functions. Accordingly, the Court finds that there has been an interference with the applicants’ rights under Article 9 interpreted in the light of Article 11.”

Along with the recent decision of the Court in favor of the right of the Moscow Church of Scientology to be registered as a religious organization under the Religion law, these cases represent precedent-setting rulings that guarantee the freedom of religion and right of association for Scientologists and people of all faiths throughout the 47 nations that comprise the Council of Europe.

The Court concluded that “In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Court finds that the interference with the applicants’ rights to freedom of religion and association cannot be said to have been ‘necessary in a democratic society.’ There has therefore been a violation of Article 9 of the Convention, interpreted in the light of Article 11.”

The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. The first church was established in the United States in 1954. It has grown to more than 8,000 churches, missions and groups and millions of members in 165 nations. The Russian Federation has more than 70 Scientology Churches and missions from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.

For more information about Scientology, see www.scientology-moscow.ru, www.scientology.org.

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Posted on November 24, 2010 by , Reply

HELLPPP with European History! Please?

Want to help me out with these questions?

18.The so-called Glorious Revolution
a.brought a foreign dynasty to the English throne
b.led to the establishment of a standing army in England
c.gave the new king greater authority, in order to stabilize the country
d.confirmed that the gentry controlled England
e.a and d

19.The great naval power of the eighteenth century was
a.France
b.the Netherlands
c.Spain
d.England

20.In the late seventeenth century the United Provinces
a.succumbed to the absolutism of the Stadholder
b.was crippled by having to maintain both land and naval power
c.had one of the most powerful landed aristocracies in Europe
d.b and c

21.Thomas Hobbes believed that
a.all political authority must reside in an absolute and sovereign power in order to restrain the natural warlike impulses of human beings
b.the natural rights of all human beings include freedom of expression
c.the will of the state may be exercised only with the approval of the majority
d.the natural state of human beings is one of freedom, equality, and peace

22.A major difference between the ideas of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke is that
a.Locke rejects the idea of a social contract
b.Locke thinks that humans live peacefully in the state of nature
c.Hobbes believes that the ruled have no right to rebel against the sovereign
d.Hobbes rejects private property

23.In the Seven Years’ War the main lines of conflict were
a.Austria vs Britain, and France vs Prussia
b.Austria vs Russia, and Prussia vs France
c.Austria vs Prussia, and Britain vs France
d.Austria vs France, and Britain vs Russia

24.The terms of Peace at Hubertusburg
a. punished Prussia severely
b.allowed Prussia to keep Silesia
c.returned Silesia to Austria
d.returned Saxony to Prussia

Thanks in advance!!

Posted on September 9, 2010 by , 4 comments