A German member of the Church of Scientology today filed
suit against the U.S.-based company Life Plus International over his dismissal
without notice as a marketing agent for the company's German branch, solely
because of his religious beliefs. Mr. Thomas Ernst Akyar has sued the natural
food supplements company, which is active in 65 nations and has estimated
annual sales of $20 million to $39 million, in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Arkansas, after an appeal to J. Robert Lemon, President of
Life Plus International, had failed to remedy the discrimination. The complaint
seeks an injunction and damages.
On July 2, 2001, after an article in the German trade journal, Network Press,
featured a photograph of Mr. Akyar captioned "Successful
Scientologist", Life Plus Europe, based in Cambridgeshire, England,
terminated Mr. Akyar's contractual relationship. Life Plus's Munich-based
German counsel Dr. Gerd Weidemann wrote to Mr. Akyar, who had been with the
company since 1995: "You admitted [sic] to our client that you are an
active member of the Scientologists... our client has been informed that you
openly admit [sic] your Scientology membership and take a stand to the
teachings of L. Ron Hubbard.... in the name and on order of our client we
terminate the existing contractual relationship with Life Plus Europe Ltd
{without notice}...." [emphasis in original].
Two days later, in contravention of European and national data protection
directives, Life Plus Europe disseminated a two-page document concerning Mr.
Akyar that attempted to justify the termination of his contract by reference to
his religion. The document stated that Life Plus had done an investigation to determine if any of Mr. Akyar's
associates in the company had a "connection" to Scientology.
Human rights counsel for the Church of Scientology International subsequently
wrote to Mr. Lemon requesting remedial action, but to no avail.
Said Leisa Goodman, Human Rights Director of the Church of Scientology
International, "Life Plus's illegal and discriminatory dismissal of Mr.
Akyar solely on the basis of his religion is exactly the type of religious
intolerance criticized by the U.S. State Department, the United Nations,
members of Congress and the U.S. Helsinki Commission. As Life Plus refuses
voluntarily to honor its human rights commitments, Mr. Akyar had no choice but
to take court action to protect his civil rights."
Mr. Akyar, who lives and works in Germany, had an excellent record with the
company. In recognition of his success, in February 2000 he was offered
membership in the company's "Diamond Bonus" program, a position reserved
for high achievers who have demonstrated leadership qualities and ethical
conduct.
Mr. Akyar charges that by terminating his contract, Life Plus International,
headquartered in Batesville, Arkansas, has violated the Arkansas Civil Rights
Act of 1993, which states "The right of an otherwise qualified person to
be free from discrimination because of... religion... is recognized as and
declared to be a civil right. The right shall include, but not be limited to...
The right to engage in credit and other contractual transactions without
discrimination."
In addition to damages, Mr. Akyar seeks an injunction holding that the
termination of his contract was discriminatory and unlawful. He is asking the
court to order Life Plus International to reinstate his contractual
relationship with the company and to enjoin the company from terminating a
contract on the grounds of religious belief.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in conjunction with
numerous human rights groups, recently initiated a campaign to ensure
international business compliance with fundamental human rights, including the
right to be free from discrimination based on religion or belief. As the High
Commissioner stated, "The Universal Declaration can provide business with
a universally agreed statement of core rights which do not depend on a
particular country or culture, a point of reference for good practice and
benchmarks."
The U.S. State Department has repeatedly and publicly condemned blacklisting
and boycotting of Scientologists in Germany as a human rights violation. The
U.S. Trade Representative's Annual Reports criticize German governmental
agencies and private firms for demanding that applicants for contractual
relations or employment sign a "sect filter" disavowing membership in
Scientology. The International Relations Committee of the U.S. House of
Representatives has held hearings that included substantial testimony regarding
economic blacklisting against Scientologists in Germany and harsh criticism
from Committee members of the very type of discrimination Life Plus
International has engaged in.
For more information, visit
the Church of Scientology International Press Office
the
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Freedom Magazine, Published by the Church of Scientology International