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Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is a non-profit organization based at 1332 L. Ron Hubbard Way, in Los Angeles, California . Founded and largely staffed and financed by Scientologists, its stated mission is "To teach youth around the globe about human rights, thus helping them to become valuable advocates for the promotion of tolerance and peace." The organization promotes International Youth Movement Turns To 20th Century Humanitarians for Inspiration , youthforhumanrights.org Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard 's writings on human rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration Of Human Rights , by sponsoring essay and art contests and by providing materials for students and teaching guides for schools. (n.d.) About YHRI YHRI was created in 2001, apparently to address a concern that little education in the area of human rights concentrated on the future. By 2004 it had established activities in more than 26 countries, including Mexico, the United States and Sweden. CoS About YHRI ORGANIZATION/CHAPTERS Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) YHRI is a non-profit organization, affiliated with Scientology, that is based in Los Angeles, California at 1332 L. Ron Hubbard Way. Youth for Human Rights U.K. YHRUK is based in East Grinstead, West Sussex, in the United Kingdom. Youth for Human Rights Canada (YHRC) YHRC is based in Toronto, Ontario at #40567-5230 Dundas St. West Youth for Human Rights Australia (YHRA) YHRA is part of Human Rights and Responsibilities Australia Inc., a registered Australian non-profit association formed in 2004 by Colston Vowles (President) and Cecile Vowles (Vice President). Chapters of YHRA have been established in Sydney , Melbourne , Perth and Adelaide . YHRA is a member of the Global Filipino, and the Philippines Community Council. The organization is actively engaged in raising public awareness of human rights and encourages individuals to get active in the human rights campaign. Initiatives include starting a youth for human rights club, distributing and broadcasting public/community service announcements, becoming a member, signing the petition among others. LEADERSHIP YHRI's president and founder is (n.d.) Mary Shuttleworth , the company that created the music video ''UNITED'' with YHRI.(n.d.) About United She is a Scientologist. According to the newsletter ''Church of Scientology International'', YHRI's Executive Director is , 2006 , former law partner of Bowles & Moxon , serving as general legal council for the Church of Scientology. Bowles also acts as an advisor to Scientology's Citizens Commission On Human Rights . (n.d.) About Tim Bowles Lynsey Bartilson , who appears on the television series " Grounded For Life ," is a prominent YHRI spokesperson. She was raised and remains a Scientologist, and her mother Laurie Bartilson was a former law partner at Moxon & Bartilson . In her online biography, she states that she worked as creative director and choreographer for the Scientology Celebrity Center’s “Kids on Stage for A Better World.” PROGRAMS YHRI has teamed with TXL Films (founded by Taron Lexton, son of YHRI founder Mary Shuttleworth [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/1/prweb336245.htm Pepsi Honors Mother and Son as Everyday Freedom Heroes], Press Release, January 23, 2006) to create the award-winning music video, "UNITED." (n.d.) About "United" In June 2006, they released 30 public service announcements for TV, illustrating each of the 30 rights in the for YHRI.http://www.theta.com/human-rights-education/20070314_hre_1.php ACTIVITIES & EVENTS YHRI distributes materials related to the . YHRI Collaborators According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, neither Amnesty in Berlin nor Amnesty International headquarters in London had knowledge of any such collaboration. 1 In 2005, Youth for Human Rights International organized a human rights conference at a Los Angeles High School. Stephen Strachan, principal of Jordan High School, said that although he knew some of the organizers were Scientologists, he did not know of YHRI's relationship to the church until the Church of Scientology was listed on publicity materials as a co-sponsor. After learning of the connection, an agreement was negotiated to remove any mention of the Church of Scientology from literature, and letters were sent to parents saying students would need permission to attend the event.2 CRITICISM In 2007, at a human rights youth forum organized by YHRI, in Sydney, Australia , three students from Canterbury Girls High School expressed concern at overt references to Scientology in the promotional materials. One said she felt "exploited." The Department of Education is looking into the students' complaints. However, David Clarke, Liberal member of Parliament and a member of the Catholic group Opus Dei, said that he had also been unaware of any strong links between the youth forum and the Church of Scientology. But, Clarke added, "I'm a practising Catholic. There was no pushing as far as I could see of Scientology." 3 A German journalist has accused Scientology of False Advertising through YHRI, recruiting members indirectly, and government officials in Germany have said YHRI serves as a cover-up tactic for Scientology. 4 5 The Florida Holocaust Museum complained that YHRI's connection to Scientology was not disclosed when they worked with them to organize at a human rights march in St. Petersburg, Florida in March 2007.6 In each of the above cases the YHRI organizer responded that, while the Church of Scientology supported their group, it was a YHRI event, not a Church event and the message was human rights, not Scientology. However, the Herald reported that, on the materials handed out at the event in Australia, L.Ron Hubbard's image and quotes figured more prominently than those of such activists as Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. SCIENTOLOGY, YHRI AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN EUROPE According to the official Scientology website, YHRI is part of its overall campaign. CoS Human Rights web site: Actions for Human Rights in Washington, D.C. http://www.scientology.org/humanrights/photo/washington-dc/index.htm YHRI, known in German as "Jugend für Menschenrechte," is active in both Switzerland and Germany, organizing human rights conferences for youth to promote religious tolerance.7 Referring to the campaign, Antje Blumenthal, a member of the German parliament, expressed concern that the good intentions of the young were being misused. Scientology states that this government criticism of their human rights record is discrimination. CoS HR Dept: Documenting and Exposing Government Discrimination http://www.scientology.org/humanrights/photo/government-discrimination/index.htm They are presently conducting a campaign through the Church of Scientology International European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights against this belief, with the help of YHRI, in Europe.Church of Scientology International European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights, News http://www.scientology-europe.org/ REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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