57th Anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Day Celebrated In Brussels

Brussells, Belgium, December 20, 2005 --(PR.com)-- Human Rights Day, 57 years after the nations of the world first subscribed to the United Nations Universal Declaration on 10 December 1948, was celebrated with an inspiring event attended by diplomats, European civil servants, and religious and human rights leaders. Their purpose was to remind Europeans to work for a year of peace and without discrimination. It concluded with a special performance by the great Italian classical guitarist Flavio Cucchi.

The celebration, held in the European Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International, put out a strong message from the capital of Europe at the end of another controversial year so far as human rights are concerned.

Religious leaders and diplomats read excerpts from great humanitarians who influenced the lives of millions of people in the 20th century, including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and L. Ron Hubbard. These great men, whose courage, strength and persistence in pursuing freedom inspired millions of people of all ages and all races of the world, marked the way for the respect of man towards governments and men of goodwill in the centuries to come.

Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time: an international hero whose lifelong dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the Presidency of his country. Mr. W. Mguli, Counselor of the South African Mission to the European Union, gave an impressive portrayal of Mr. Mandela in his quest for freedom, not only for the black people, but for all. “As Mr. Mandela said in his inauguration speech on May 10 1994,” Mr. Mgali told the audience attending the presentation, “‘Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one or another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. God bless South Africa’.”

J. Sakhri, President of the Indian Society of Belgium, read some anecdotes about the extraordinary life of Mahatma Gandhi, calling him “The Freedom fighter who wouldn't fight.” “Gandhi was able to unite India like none other,” said Mr. Sekhri during his speech. “An adamant idealist, courageous fighter, a deep thinker, and a great leader of men and ideas, it was possible for him to do that because he identified himself with struggles and pains of the common Indians.”

Fabio Amicarelli, the Director of the European Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International gave a description of the life of L. Ron Hubbard, explaining how Mr. Hubbard always considered that it was not enough that he alone should benefit from the results of his research. “He took great care to record every detail of his discoveries so that others could share the wealth of knowledge and wisdom in order to improve their own lives. In fact, L. Ron Hubbard is the world’s most translated author, according to Guinness World Records, with his works now appearing in 65 languages.” said Mr. Amicarelli. “No more fitting statement typifies the life of L. Ron Hubbard than this simple declaration: ‘I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself from the shadows which darken his days.’ Behind those pivotal words stands a lifetime of service to mankind and a legacy of wisdom that enables anyone to attain long-cherished dreams of happiness and spiritual freedom.” (see www.lronhubbard.org)

The concert of Flavio Cucchi included, from his classical and contemporary repertoires, pieces taken from the great traditions of the world, strengthening the message of brotherhood and peace that the Human Rights Day event inspired. With hundreds of recitals in America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and a guest of world-wide broadcasting corporations, Flavio Cucchi is one of the world’s most accomplished living classical guitarists. As a soloist he has played in over 30 European cities and has performed at major international festivals. Many composers, including jazz icon Chick Corea, have been inspired to write for Cucchi, thus enriching the repertoire of classical guitar. www.flaviocucchi.com.

Attached photo: Mr W. Mguli, South Africa Diplomatic Mission to EU

For further information, contact:

Graeme Wilson on 01342 318 229 or g.wilson@scientology-uk.org

or

Phone: +32 (0)2 231 1596
email: csiofficedir@scientology-europe.org
web: www.scientology-europe.org

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