FOR MORE INFORMATION: Paul Flux 635512920 or 675692123 Ivan Arjona
The Highest European Court confirms the true religious feeling of the Scientology religion (see Case )
Strasbourg. April 5, 2007 .
Today, in a unanimous and historic decision, the European Court of Human Rights (First Section) has failed for religious freedom of Scientologists throughout the 46 countries that are part of the Council of Europe, in a precedent-setting decision that will protect the rights of people of all faiths.
The European Court overturned the Moscow government's refusal to re-register the Church of Scientology in Russia as a religious organization.
The European Court referred to its "and established jurisprudence, to the effect that, as covered by Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) is one of the foundations of a 'democratic society' in the context of the Convention. This is, in its dimension religious, one of the most vital elements that make up the identity of believers and their conception of life, but also a precious asset for atheists, agnostics, skeptics and the unconcerned. Inseparable pluralism in a democratic society, which has been won so strongly through the centuries, depends on it " .
The Court continued: "in light of the general principles developed above, the ability to establish a legal entity to act collectively in a field of mutual interest, is one of the most important aspects of freedom of association without which, this right would devoid of any meaning. The Court expressed the view that the denial by the national authorities to grant legal-entity status to an association of individuals, can become an interference with the right of association of the applicants. Where is the organization of a religious community, a refusal to recognize it also constitutes interference in the applicant's right to freedom of religion under Article 9 of the Convention. The right to freedom of religion encompasses the expectation of the believer that the community be allowed to function peacefully, free from arbitrary state intervention " .
The European Court also stressed that "in view of the facts found by the Court, the reasons invoked by the Moscow Department of Justice and supported by the Moscow courts to deny re-registration of the applicant branch, had no legal basis, so that we can infer that, in denying registration to the Church of Scientology of Moscow, the Moscow authorities did not act in good faith and in breach of their duty of neutrality and impartiality with regard to the applicant's religious community. In light of the foregoing, the Court considers that the interference with the applicant's right to freedom of religion and association, no was justified. Therefore, a violation of Article 11 of the Convention in view of Article 9 " . Elena
Saycheva, spokesman of the Church of Scientology of Moscow, praised the European Court's decision saying: " This decision not only confirms the rights of churches of Scientology, but also sets an important precedent to protect the rights of others religious communities across Europe . "
For the Church of Scientology Moscow vs Russia (Application no 18147/02), the Church of Scientology of Moscow (the Church) filed a complaint in relation to the refusal by the Department of Justice, Government of this city to re-register the Church as a religious organization. The Church of Scientology of Moscow was first registered as a religious organization in 1994. After a change in the law, the Church requested to re-enroll. The Church claimed that the refusal by Russian authorities to re-register as a religious organization violated fundamental rights guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights.
In today's decision, the European Court Human Rights unanimously confirmed that the Russian Federation has violated the rights of the Church who are part of the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically Article 11 (freedom of assembly and association) 
of the European Convention on Human Rights viewed in the light of Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion).
This resolution ensures the protection of Scientology churches not only in Russia but also in the 46 member states under the jurisdiction of the Council of Europe and stressed the obligation of states to protect the right to freedom of religion in the most broad terms of neutrality and impartiality. Paul
Fluxá, church spokeswoman, said: " In Spain, including churches, missions and groups that promote active religious and social campaigns of Scientology, has risen from 11 in 2004 to over 30 in late 2006. In the last year we have opened more than 1500 centers, missions and churches of Scientology around the world, including large churches such as central London and Berlin. With new groups opened this year in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Bahrain, Scientology's international presence with more than 7,500 centers, missions and churches in 163 nations and more than 10 million members. The Russian Federation has more than 40 churches and missions from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, more than 200,000 members and more than 100 welfare groups in Russia alone. In the context of the Council of Europe, the religion of Scientology has approximately 2.5 million members. "
The Scientology religion was founded in the United States in 1954. Scientology offers a precise path leading to a greater appreciation not only on the spiritual nature of oneself but also their relationship with family, groups, mankind, all life forms, the material universe, spiritual, and God .
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For more information on Scientology, visit http://www.scientology.es/ or http://www.scientology.org/
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