Released on = December 18, 2005, 10:27 pm

Press Release Author = Veronica Albano

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = December 10th, the 57th anniversary of the United Nations
Declaration of Human Rights. Ximena Mora, a 14-year old, taught other youth about
why they must know, demand and defend their human rights


Press Release Body = San Diego - December 10th marked the 57th anniversary of the
United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, a document written to declare the rights
everyone in the entire world should have. Ximena Mora, a 14-year old Youth for
Human Rights advocate from Preuss High School, conducted the human rights
presentation to other youth, who came together to watch the music video UNITED and
learn about basic human rights and why they must know, demand and defend them.
Youth for Human Rights International (www.youthforhumanrights.org) and the Church of
Scientology International (www.scientology.org) released a 5-minute music video
dealing head-on with gang violence and bullying among youths. The video, created by
19-year old Taron Lexton, was released in honor of Human Rights Day at the United
Nations last year.
Entitled UNITED (www.unitedmusicvideo.org), the video portrays children banding
together to defeat bullies in school and playground settings and even extending
friendship to a gang leader. \"It is a very real portrayal of things our youth are
faced with today and how to apply Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights,\" said Veronica Albano spokesperson for the Church. \"That article that tells
us that all people are born free and equal and we should act towards others in a
spirit of brotherhood.\"
After watching the UNITED music video, Clando Brownlee, youth director for United
Youth Energy (UNERGY), was inspired by the human rights message and brought his
group together to help forward the Youth for Human Rights educational campaign and
create a better world. \"Our goal is to first educate our neighborhoods, our nation,
and then our world on the need to uphold the human rights of every man, woman and
child,\" said Brownlee. Ximena added, \"It\'s a great feeling to know that you\'re
helping people by teaching them what their human rights are because human rights is
what keeps us all together.\"
The video features cameo appearances from soul legend Isaac Hayes, movie actress
Erica Christensen and TV actresses Catherine Bell, Jenna Elfman and Lynsey
Bartilson. Filmed in 14 countries, the video also features a multi-ethnic cast of
more than 150 actors, primarily youths. Mr. Craig Mokhiber, Deputy Director, Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations described the work
as \"brilliant and an important contribution to human rights education.\"
In California, the Department of Justice estimates there are 300,000 gang members
and some six thousand young people in the state are hospitalized for some form of
violent injury each year. \"Something can be done about this. It is important to
show youth that they can be a united force for good will and bring about greater
tolerance and respect,\" said Albano. \"This is why we want to make it available
widely and invite everyone to see the music video. Humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard said,
\'Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.\' If we aren\'t educated
about our basic human rights then we won\'t be able to make them a fact.\"
For more information visit www.youthforhumanrights.org or www.unitedmusicvideo.org.

Web Site = http://www.youthforhumanrights.org

Contact Details = 1330 Fourth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
619-239-2091
sdyouth.for.human.rights@gmail.com