Religious Freedom Awards 2024: Celebrating Coexistence and Human Rights
On November 29, 2024, the Church of Scientology of Spain, situated near the National Parliament in Madrid, hosted the 11th edition of the Religious Freedom Awards. This annual event, organized by the Foundation for the Improvement of Life, Culture and Society (Foundation MEJORA)—a Scientology foundation recognized by the United Nations—brought together academics, human rights activists, and advocates to underscore the vital role of freedom of thought, religion, and belief in fostering democracy and peaceful coexistence.
An Evening of Honor
This year’s honorees included Ana Isabel Planet, Santiago Cañamares, and Fernando Amérigo-Cuervo, who were celebrated for their exceptional contributions to religious freedom and human rights. The event also welcomed leading figures from Spain’s religious freedom landscape, such as Daniel Pelayo (Deputy Director General of Religious Freedom, Ministry of Presidency), Gustavo Suárez Pertierra (former Minister and current President of UNICEF Spain), and representatives from the Federation of Buddhist Communities, among others.
A Timely Tribute
Opening the ceremony, Isabel Ayuso-Puente, Secretary General of Foundation MEJORA, emphasized the significance of these awards in Europe’s evolving socio-political context. She called for stronger enforcement of religious freedoms by governments while reflecting on recent tragedies in Valencia. Ayuso-Puente praised the solidarity of volunteers from diverse faiths—including Scientology’s Volunteer Ministers—who dedicated over 18,000 hours to recovery efforts, reinforcing the power of unity in adversity.
“Solidarity and collaboration have shown us that we can transcend differences and work together in challenging times,” she remarked during her heartfelt speech.
Championing Knowledge of Religious Freedom
Ivan Arjona-Pelado, president of Foundation MEJORA and the Church of Scientology’s representative to the European Union and United Nations, presented a groundbreaking publishing venture. Supported by the Coexistence Project Foundation (part of Spain’s Ministry of Presidency), the project features a book compiling the works of past award winners over the last decade. Distributed to university libraries, the volume, co-coordinated by Arjona-Pelado and Professor Alejandro Torres, aims to educate future generations about the importance of religious freedom.
“Promoting knowledge of religious freedom is key to building a respectful and tolerant future,” said Arjona-Pelado.
Honoring Advocates of Religious Freedom
The awards spotlighted the tireless work of three exceptional individuals:
Ana Isabel Planet Contreras
A Full Professor of Sociology of Islam at Madrid’s Autonomous University, she was honored for her groundbreaking research on the rights of Spain’s Muslim communities, which has positively influenced other minority faiths. Planet highlighted the legislative advances made in religious pluralism since Spain’s 1980 Constitutional Law on Religious Freedom, urging new generations to uphold these achievements.
“Religious diversity does not threaten cohesion in European societies; it strengthens them,” she affirmed, calling for unity against hate speech and a renewed commitment to democratic values rooted in pluralism and equality.
Santiago Cañamares Arribas
As a Full Professor of State Ecclesiastical Law at the Complutense University of Madrid, Cañamares explored the challenges religious freedom faces in the West. From restrictions on religious expression like the Islamic veil in workplaces to issues of conscientious objection in medical ethics (e.g., abortion and euthanasia), he highlighted the need to safeguard religious convictions in public life.
“Religious freedom enables us to live by our beliefs and values, but even democratic societies require vigilance to protect it,” Cañamares cautioned, lauding European courts for their role in fostering inclusive solutions.
Fernando Amérigo-Cuervo Arango
A distinguished expert in Ecclesiastical Law and member of the Spanish Society of Religious Sciences, Amérigo-Cuervo delivered an impassioned address linking human dignity with fundamental rights. He warned against the rise of intolerance and xenophobia while celebrating the enduring values of freedom and equality.
“We inherit a tradition that defends human dignity as a cornerstone of our society,” he stated, paying homage to historical figures like Erasmus of Rotterdam and Voltaire, as well as modern advocates.
Special Recognition
The ceremony also paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, for his contributions to the promotion of human rights. The accolade, spearheaded by attorney Arroyo, was accepted by Jetmira Cremonesi, representing Hubbard’s European office.
Ivan Arjona-Pelado remarked, “L. Ron Hubbard’s legacy inspires Scientologists to fight injustice and champion values like justice and tolerance, regardless of the obstacles they face.”
A Collective Call to Action
The 11th Religious Freedom Awards served as a reminder that defending religious
Leave a Reply