Welcome to the website of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
Our current Mission is to represent the Church of Scientology and all of its secular humanitarian programs to European institutions such as the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as to the United Nations, and with that, contribute to a better society.
Our office is centrally located in Brussels at Boulevard de Waterloo, 103, in one of the most renowned areas of Brussels and at walking distance of the city’s European quarter.
The Church has, since 1990, maintained a human rights office in Brussels, which has been transforming and evolving in different forms. This has served as a focal point for our many programs to inform the public about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and how the Declaration’s precepts can be used to bring about a humane and peaceful society based on respect for every individual.
As per our own statutes:
“Article 1.- An entity of organizational nature is constituted […] as a religious association abiding by article 16 of the Constitution, Organic Law 7/1980 of 5 July, on Religious Freedom, article 2.2.(c) of the Royal Decree 594/2015 of July 3rd, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, under the name EUROPEAN OFFICE OF THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND HUMAN RIGHTS, vested with legal personality and full legal capacity, which shall be governed by the aforementioned regulations, the provisions set forth herein, and other applicable laws. Its territorial scope is national and European, and it shall act as an entity of reference for the entire European territory. It shall operate as a purely religious non-profit organisation, which shall be responsible for carrying out its own activities and act as a representative for the various Churches in Europe before national and supranational public and private institutions, fostering that which is set forth in article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and pursuant to article 2.2 of the Organic Law on Religious Freedom, joining to the European values of Human Dignity, Freedom, Democracy, Equality/Equity, the Rule of Law and Human Rights […]”
Approved statutes and bylaws, REGISTERED BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND PRESIDENCY OF THE SPAIN GOVERNMENT,
We now have the necessary facilities in Madrid, Brussels, Rome, London, Berlin, and others to plan and forward important initiatives to benefit the large European community and abroad. To that end, our conference and meeting rooms are available to human rights and community betterment organizations for seminars, round-tables, and other events.
As with all churches of Scientology around the world, our office in Brussels is open to the public. We look forward to your visit.
To request further information or hardcopy publications, please contact us.
Ivan Arjona-Pelado
Iván Arjona Pelado is a seasoned advocate for religious freedom, human rights, and interfaith cooperation, with nearly three decades of experience engaging European and international institutions. Born in Tarragona in 1980, he began his public service early, assuming leadership roles at 17 and becoming president of a Church of Scientology in Spain by age 22, notably achieving official recognition for Scientology in Spain in 2007.
Since 2017, Mr. Arjona has served as President of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights, based in Brussels.
In this role, he leads the Church’s engagement with the European Union, the United Nations, the OSCE, and other multilateral bodies to defend freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and to promote legal protections for minority beliefs and human dignity.
Earlier in his career, in 2015, he became President of Fundación Mejora (Foundation for the Improvement of Life, Culture and Society), a Spanish nonprofit with special consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2019. The foundation advances human rights, tolerance, and the application of L. Ron Hubbard’s works to social betterment, focusing on empowering vulnerable communities and amplifying civil society voices in global discussions on rights and sustainable development.
A committed proponent of interfaith dialogue and freedom of belief, Mr. Arjona is a member of the European Academy of Religion and the international dialogue group Transcendence. His longstanding dedication led to his 2024 election as President of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the United Nations in Geneva. He regularly speaks at diplomatic and interreligious forums, urging inclusive dialogue and concrete measures against religious discrimination.
In 2014, he founded the Religious Freedom Awards, honoring scholars, lawyers, activists, and faith leaders who advance legal equality and peaceful coexistence.
Mr. Arjona’s thought leadership extends to media and academia. He has been widely interviewed across European television, radio, and press, and has contributed to academic publications with publishers including Springer and Dykinson. He also founded FoRB Press, a publisher specializing in freedom of religion or belief literature.
He has addressed audiences at the United Nations in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, the European Parliament, and the UK Parliament—consistently advocating for the universal right to practice faith freely, without coercion or discrimination.
Eric Roux
Eric Roux has devoted himself to the service of his faith and to the universal cause of freedom of religion for more than three decades. He became a member of the clergy of the Church of Scientology in 1993 and was ordained as a minister of religion shortly thereafter. From the earliest days of his ministry, he demonstrated a strong commitment to both spiritual outreach and humanitarian initiatives.
His pastoral work has taken him across Europe, where he has provided guidance to parishioners, administered ceremonies, and fostered communal bonds rooted in respect and understanding.
In his capacity as Vice-President of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights, Mr. Roux oversees a wide array of programs aimed at promoting religious freedom and human rights throughout the European continent. Under his leadership, the Office has engaged with governmental bodies, international organizations, and civil society actors to advance legislation, shape public policy, and cultivate a climate of tolerance. He coordinates research efforts, leads public advocacy campaigns, and represents the Church at high-level forums.
Recognizing that meaningful progress requires cooperation across faith traditions, Eric Roux co-founded the FoRB (Freedom of Religion or Belief ) Roundtable Brussels EU. This innovative platform regularly brings together over one hundred governmental and non-governmental organizations to exchange insights, forge alliances, and develop joint strategies for the protection and promotion of religious rights. Through regular meetings, the Roundtable has become a crucible for collaborative policymaking, leading to tangible improvements in legal safeguards for persecuted minorities.
His work has earned him international acclaim as a champion of freedom of religion and belief. In recognition of his skills in consensus-building and his unwavering dedication to human dignity, Eric Roux was recently elected Chair of the Global Council of the United Religions Initiative (URI), the world’s largest grassroots network dedicated to interreligious cooperation. As Chair, he now guides URI’s strategic vision, supporting thousands of local multifaith councils and grassroots projects.
Throughout his career, Mr. Roux has worked tirelessly to bridge divides, foster mutual respect, and affirm the right of every individual to practice their faith without fear or discrimination. By combining pastoral care with high-level advocacy and grassroots engagement, Eric Roux continues to embody the belief that unity in diversity is not only possible, but imperative for a peaceful, just, and compassionate world.
