Church of Scientology of Toronto

Canadian actor Tyler Hynes and Church of Scientology Canadian public affairs director Al Buttnor were on hand in Los Angeles as Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) and the Church of Scientology jointly unveiled two new international human rights awards at a special announcement event held in Hollywood. The event was held at the Church of Scientology Advanced Organization of Los Angeles and webcast to human rights advocates around the world.

The new awards, known as the Youth for Human Rights Hero Award for those twenty-one years of age and under and the Know Your Rights Hero Award for adults, recognize outstanding achievements in the promotion of human rights through implementation of one or more of the thirty articles of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR). Awardees will be announced after the April 30th deadline for world-wide nominations.

Tyler, representing Youth for Human Rights Canada, spoke about the need to recognize those who produce change in the world by focussing on human rights, particularly youth. He said, "Little things count. Whether you're a kid who has had an argument with a friend or you are just fighting for something you feel is unfair, these are the sparks that light a world on fire and I think every little piece of this is important. I look forward to the awards ceremonies and acknowledging these important people."

Keynote speaker Anne Archer, a YHRI Advisory Board member and actress, praised the initiative as acknowledging "ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things." Ms. Archer also announced her own initiative for human rights, the creation of Artists for Human Rights International, a group that will work with artists to overcome artistic represssion around the world and use their power to forward positive human rights measures.

Announcement of the awards created excitement around the globe as numerous human rights groups and advocates sent messages to both YHRI and the Church encouraging the Hero Award contest. These were read during the event including one from Ontario Human Rights Commissioner Ghulam Sajan.

Mr. Sajan stated, "I am excited to find out that there is a launch for Youth for Human Rights Award International. This award will go a long way to create understanding in respect to human rights. For I believe that if you violate the human rights of one individual it is as if you have violated the human rights of all mankind. I wish every contestant good luck. This will also create better awareness with respect to human rights worldwide."

In recognizing achievements in human rights through these awards, YHRI and the Church are continuing their world-wide education campaign about the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Although adopted by 191 countries since 1948, few people know about. During the last five years, over 1,000,000 booklets about the UDHR have been distributed on five continents by YHRI and the Church and over 70 million people have been touched by this educational effort. The YHRI-produced human rights music video for youth "United" has won acclaim with nine international film festival awards including the Grand Jury Award from the New York International Film and Video Festival.

Information about eligibility for the Hero Awards including nomination forms is available on the Internet at Youth for Human Rights International