Brussels, Brussels, Belgium, fifth Dec 2024 – Final November 29, 2024, on the Church of Scientology of Spain, situated simply meters from the Nationwide Parliament in Madrid, the eleventh version of the Non secular Freedom Awards, was held.
This occasion, organized every year by the Basis for the Enchancment (Basis MEJORA) of Life, Tradition and Society (a Scientology basis acknowledged by the United Nations), introduced collectively lecturers, activists, and human rights defenders in an occasion that highlighted freedom of thought, faith and perception as a elementary pillar of democracy and peaceable coexistence.
The winners of this version had been Ana Isabel Planet, Santiago Canamares and Fernando Amerigo-Cuervo. The occasion was attended by many personalities within the area of non secular freedom, corresponding to Daniel Pelayo (Deputy Director Normal of Non secular Freedom of the Spain Ministry of Presidency), Gustavo Suarez Pertierra (former Minister of Training, Minister of Protection and Director of Non secular Affairs at completely different instances and present President of UNICEF Spain), Ana Fernandez Coronado, Luis Morente of the Federation of Buddhist Communities, amongst others.
A tribute in troublesome instances
The occasion was opened by Isabel Ayuso-Puente, Secretary Normal of the Fundacion Mejora, who highlighted the significance of those awards in a world and European context and the necessity to enhance the applying of the identical by the states.
Because it couldn’t be in any other case, she additionally had phrases to recollect and lift consciousness in regards to the current tragedies in Valencia. Ayuso-Puente highlighted the solidarity proven by volunteers from numerous religions, together with Scientology volunteer ministers, who’ve volunteered and coordinated greater than 18,000 hours of service within the restoration efforts. “Solidarity and collaboration have shown that, in the face of adversity, we can all work together without differences,” she mentioned in her emotional speech.
The president of the Basis, Ivan Arjona-Pelado, who additionally represents Scientology earlier than the EU and the United Nations, and who was elected president of the NGO Committee on Non secular Freedom of UN Geneva final September, introduced a particular shock: a publishing challenge funded by the Coexistence Undertaking Basis (of the Ministry of Presidency), which distributes a e book compiling the works of the winners within the final 10 years to school libraries and which was coordinated by Arjona himself and by the Full Professor of Constitutional Legislation, Professor Alejandro Torres. In response to Arjona-Pelado, “spreading knowledge about religious freedom is crucial to building a future of respect and tolerance”.
The award winners: a tireless protection of elementary rights
Ana Planet Contreras
Full Professor of Sociology of Islam on the Autonomous College of Madrid, Ana Planet was awarded for her educational and analysis work on the rights of Muslim communities in Spain and the impression this work has on different minority faiths.
Throughout her speech, Planet recalled key moments in her profession, corresponding to her analysis in Melilla and Ceuta and her work within the growth of the legislative framework for spiritual pluralism in Spain. “Plurality and religious freedom do not endanger the cohesion and identity of European societies; on the contrary, they strengthen them,” she mentioned.
Planet highlighted the impression of the 1980 Constitutional Legislation on Non secular Freedom and known as on the brand new generations to take care of the political consensus that allowed historic advances in elementary rights. “Today, more than ever, we must combat hate speech and reinforce democratic values based on pluralism and equality,” she concluded.
Santiago Canamares Arribas
Full Professor of State Ecclesiastical Legislation on the Complutense College of Madrid, Santiago Canamares centered his speech on the present challenges dealing with spiritual freedom within the West. He analyzed instances through which spiritual beliefs are relegated to the non-public sphere and conditions of labor discrimination, corresponding to using the Islamic veil or conscientious objection in issues corresponding to abortion and euthanasia.
“Religious freedom allows us to live according to our convictions and values, but it remains necessary to defend it even in democratic societies,” he mentioned.
Cañamares additionally highlighted the function of European courts in selling inclusive options, stressing that “religious freedom is a crucial human right that must be protected against any discrimination or arbitrariness.”
Fernando Amerigo-Cuervo Arango
A acknowledged professional in Ecclesiastical Legislation and Full Professor, in addition to a distinguished member of the Spanish Society of Non secular Sciences, Fernando Amerigo-Cuervo gave a transferring speech through which he linked human dignity with elementary rights. “Freedom of conscience is an essential value in the construction of plural, tolerant and inclusive societies,” he mentioned. He additionally warned in regards to the dangers posed by discourses of intolerance and xenophobia in trendy democracies.
The professor thanked each his college students and lecturers, and paid tribute to historic figures corresponding to Erasmus of Rotterdam, Voltaire and Rene Cassin, and modern ones corresponding to Dionisio Llamazares, recalling that the ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity are elementary to beat as we speak’s challenges. “We are children of a tradition that defends human dignity as a pillar of our societies,” he concluded.
Particular Recognition to L. Ron Hubbard
The occasion additionally included a tribute to L. Ron Hubbard, founding father of the Scientology faith, for his contribution to the protection of human rights. This recognition, promoted by legal professional Arroyo, was acquired by Jetmira Cremonesi, consultant of L. Ron Hubbard‘s private workplace in Europe.
Following the award, Arjona-Pelado famous that Mr. Hubbard’s legacy conjures up Scientology members to battle injustice and promote common values corresponding to justice and tolerance “no matter who or what is put in front of them.”
The eleventh version of the Non secular Freedom Awards underlined that the protection of non secular freedom is crucial to make sure inclusive and democratic societies. Within the phrases of Fernando Amerigo-Cuervo, “beliefs sustain us as human beings and freedom of conscience is essential to build a just society”. This occasion not solely acknowledged excellent figures, but additionally reaffirmed the collective dedication to equality, human dignity and peaceable coexistence.
Media Contact
Group: European Workplace Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
Contact Individual: Ivan Arjona
Web site: https://www.europeanaffairs.eu
E-mail: Ship E-mail
Handle: Boulevard de Waterloo 103
Metropolis: Brussels
State: Brussels
Nation: Belgium
Launch Id: 05122420903
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