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La proposition du sénateur Xenophon de nommer commission d'enquête concernant les nombreux abus de la scientologie a été rejetée par le Parlement australien ! Malgré cet échec, le sénateur Xenophon et le Parti des Verts comptent poursuivre la lutte contre les abus de la scientologie. La requête du sénateur Xenophon a révélé l'ampleur des abus de la scientologie, grâce notamment à une couver- ture de presse sans précédent des médias australiens. A la radio ABC, trois psychiatres australiens de renom, dont le réputé Dr. Patrick McGorry, ont appuyé ouvertement les efforts du sénateur Nick Xenophon pour nommer une commission d'enquête sur la scientologie. McGorry a affirmé que «la scientologie met des vies en danger». Ce qui était «la religion sacrée de Tom Cruise» est devenue aux yeux de tous «la secte des avortements forcés, de l'esclavage, de la destruction des familles et des abus physiques» et grâce à ce sénateur l'opinion publique australienne est maintenant prévenue. D'autre part en Australie (comme en Europeet aux USA) et cela depuis la céation du mouvement des Anonymous des ex-scientologues qui avaient gardés le silence sont de plus en plus nombreux à dénoncer ce qu'ils ont subis. La scientologie a peut-être gagné une bataille, mais elle est loin, d'avoir prouvé sa non-dangerosité. Selon
plusieurs médias le
Parti des Verts a également porté plainte contre la scientologie auprès
de l'Office de la protection du consommateur. Une école locale qui utilise les
techniques de scientologie auprès des enfants, l'Athena School, a distribué des
dépliants publicitaires sans mentionner son affiliation à la
multinationale sciento- logue.
Réaction du sénateur Xenophon à la radio ABC après cette décision scandaleuse:
By Jacob SAULWICK National Correspondent
NICK XENOPHON'S appeal for a parliamentary inquiry into Scientology collapsed into acrimony yesterday, amid claims it represented an attack on organised religion. Both the government and opposition voted against holding the inquiry, moved by the South Australian independent, which would have examined the value of giving religious institutions tax exemptions. The Liberal senator Cory Bernardi turned his ire on the Greens, who supported the inquiry. Senator Bernardi said the Greens were interested in a witch-hunt on organised faith, comparing their hostility to the shadowy religious group the Exclusive Brethren with the Nazi practice of forcing Jews to wear the Star of David. ''This is the organisation, remember, that wanted the members of the Exclusive Brethren Christian organisation to mark their businesses so people would know who they were,'' Senator Bernardi said. The Greens leader, Bob Brown, demanded he withdraw the remark. ''I will withdraw the inference that the Star of David was the symbol that the Greens wanted to put on every Exclusive Brethren business,'' Senator Bernardi said. ''Make no mistake that the Greens wanted to ensure that people of a particular religious persuasion were going to be marked in their businesses,'' he said. After airing allegations of coerced abortion, torture and financial heavying in the Senate last year, Senator Xenophon broadened the terms of reference for his proposed inquiry from a direct examination of Scientology to a general examination of the tax status of religious or charitable groups. The inquiry would have questioned whether the tax exemptions of religious groups should be subject to a public benefit test. But the Special Minister of State, Joe Ludwig, said while the terms were general, Senator Xenophon made it clear it would be aimed squarely at Scientology. ''It is not the role of the Parliament to inquire into the tax status of a particular organisation or individual, or to investigate criminal matters,'' Senator Ludwig said. He said the issues were covered in a Productivity Commission examination of the contribution of the non-profit sector, and in the Henry Tax Review. The Tasmanian Liberal, Eric Abetz, also spoke against the motion. Senator Xenophon, who said he had been contacted by hundreds of former Scientologists since speaking against the religion last year, said he would move another motion calling for an inquiry next week. |
(abc.net.au)|
Video: Inquiry blocked (Today Tonight - March 11, 2010) |
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By online political correspondent Emma Rodgers
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has slammed the major parties for blocking his moves for an inquiry into the Church of Scientology. Senator Xenophon has been calling for a full inquiry into the church since revealing claims of forced abortions and other abuses in Parliament last year. Today he accused Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of hiding behind process and vowed to continue to fight for further examination of Scientology in Australia. "There is a certain cowardice in turning your backs on people who ask for help and ask just to be heard," he said. "I ask Kevin Rudd and [Opposition Leader] Tony Abbott, what is it about forced abortions you do not want to know about? "What is it about false imprisonment that you don't want to know about? I will not turn my backs on the victims of Scientology. I will not let this lie. This issue will not go away." Senator Xenophon now says he will move another motion for an inquiry into the church, which he says will focus on specific allegations made against it, next week. Today Senator Xenophon moved for a broader inquiry into the tax-free status of religions when it was clear he did not have the numbers for his original Scientology probe. However, the Opposition and Government blocked the motion. Senator Xenophon said the Government told him it could not support the tax inquiry because it could pre-empt the still-to-be released Henry Tax Review. Special Minister of State Joe Ludwig says the tax-free status of various organisations has already been extensively covered by other inquiries and another is not needed. "Based on this detailed and comprehensive record of an analysis and in light of two current review reports before the Government, we will not be supporting this motion today," he said. The Greens supported the motion but that was not enough to get it passed. "I do object and I know many other Australians object to millions of dollars being siphoned off from the public purse because we haven't refined our ability to say a dangerous cult ought not be getting that money," Greens leader Bob Brown said. Liberal Senator Eric Abetz expressed sympathy for anyone who had suffered under the Church of Scientology but said the Senate was not the right place to hear their stories. He also questioned whether a Senate inquiry would stop people being "brainwashed" by various organisations. "Whilst the motion on the face of it looks relatively innocuous, talks about a general inquiry into matters tax and charitable status generally, there is no doubt from the speeches of Senators Xenophon and Brown ... that it would not just be a general discussion of matters taxation," he said. ABC's Four Corners program also this week broadcast allegations from ex-members of Scientology of forced abortions, pressure to work extreme hours and being forced to hand over large sums of money.
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Scientology Exposed by Today Tonight part 1 22nd of February 2010 part 2 23nd of February 2010 |
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Scientology 'putting lives at risk' By Sabra Lane
Video: Four Corners: Scientology in the spotlight (ABC News)
Audio: Former scientologists speak out about abuse and abortions (PM) Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry has thrown his weight behind calls for a Senate inquiry into the Church of Scientology, saying the church's teachings are putting Australians' lives at risk. Professor McGorry, a world-renowned youth mental health expert, and two other respected Australian psychia- trists are supporting independent Senator Nick Xenophon's efforts to set up an investigation into the church's activities and its teachings on psychiatric care.
Professor McGorry
Audio: Australian of the Year supports Senate Scientology probe (AM) Professor McGorry says it is time to put the Church of Scientology under the federal parliamentary microscope. "It's a bit like they're the deniers of the reality of mental illness, which is not only incredibly irresponsible and dangerous, but something that has to be challenged," he said. Professor McGorry says he has been motivated by his long-time advocacy of early intervention for mental health problems. The Church of Scientology has strong views about psychiatric medicine, and Professor McGorry says those teachings should be examined in a public forum such as a Senate inquiry. "I'm concerned that any restriction or any discouragement of access to mental health care will cost lives and result in unnecessary disability for people," Professor McGorry said. Professor Ian Hickie, the executive director of the Brain and Mind Institute in Sydney, also supports a Senate inquiry, as does Professor Louise Newman, the president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. "I've certainly come into contact with people with mental illness who have sought help or assistance from the Church of Scientology, and from many other organisations," Professor Newman said. "In their contact with the Church of Scientology they've been discouraged from having appropriate treatment. "Some have been encouraged to cease taking psychiatric medication even when those might be indicated, and there has certainly been no attempt to actually get people in any reasonable form of alternate therapy. "This is not a trivial issue and I think for far too long, these sort of extremist views have hidden behind a group which describes itself as being an organised religion." Professor McGorry says he and his two colleagues are just the tip of a very deep iceberg. "The whole mental health field would support this call for an inquiry and it's overdue in fact, in my opinion," he said. Professor McGorry met Senator Nick Xenophon yesterday. Forced abortion claims In Parliament last year Senator Xenophon raised serious allegations of abuse, blackmail and forced abortions within the church. The church claimed he had abused parliamentary privilege, but the Senator has pushed for an inquiry. The Greens support the push but as yet it does not have enough support from either the Government or Opposition Senators, who will be voting on it by the end of next week. "I was heartened by the Prime Minister's statement last year that he was concerned about these allegations," Senator Xenophon said. "The logical conclusion of the concerns expressed by the Prime Minister is for the Labor Party to support this inquiry. "These are concerns that need to be dealt with in a transparent and robust manner. "The way to do that is a Senate inquiry. The Church of Scientology can be represented at that inquiry, they can give their submissions, but it would be an open and transparent process. "What has the Church of Scientology to fear by having an open and transparent inquiry ?" But Labor is sticking to its position that the Senate is not the right place to investigate the allegations. And a spokesman for Opposition Senate Leader Nick Minchin says the Coalition is also unlikely to support it. The ABC has been told that more than half of Coalition senators support the move, but there is resistance "at the top". A spokesman for Senator Xenophon says discussions are continuing to try and secure the support of the Coalition. Senator Xenophon would not say if he was obsessed with this issue. "I've got an obligation to the victims of Scientology, who have come forward with very serious allegations, to see this through," he said. "To do anything else would be abandoning those victims. To do anything else would be walking away from a very important issue. "So I guess my message to my colleagues and to the community at large is that if it's an important issue in the public interest, I can be a completely stubborn bastard." But a spokesman for the Church of Scientology, Cyrus Brooks, says pushing for an inquiry is the wrong way for the professors and Senator Xenophon to go. "They're getting into the field of religion and they better stay in the field of mental health," he said. "It's not the role of the Parliament and there are already frameworks in place for people who have made complaints. "Many dissenters have said that and, I think, that's a true statement." Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse
The ex-files
Parmi les psychiatres soutenant cette enquête envisagée par le sénateur Xenophon:
Le porte-parole de la sciento, Cyrus Brooks, estime que ce n'est pas une manière de faire, puisque l'état ne peut se mêler de "religion"... |
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Scientology putting lives at risk, says Australian of the Year Pat McGorry
AUSTRALIAN of the Year Pat McGorry has backed calls for a Senate inquiry into Scientology, saying its views on mental health are putting lives at risk. "They are the deniers of the realities of mental illness, which I find incredibly irresponsible and dangerous," he told ABC Radio today. The renowned mental health expert has joined psychiatry boss Louise Newman and the Brain and Mind Institute's Ian Hickie in urging senators to vote for an inquiry. The Senate is expected to vote on the issue, brought forward by independent Senator Nick Xenophon, by the end of next week. Professor McGorry met Senator Xenophon yesterday to lend his voice to the cause. "I'm concerned that any restriction or any discouragement of access to mental health care will cost lives and result in unnecessary disability for people," he said. "The whole mental health field would support this call for an inquiry and it's something that's overdue in my opinion." So far, only the Australian Greens have committed to voting for the inquiry and it needs more support if it is to get up. Senator Xenophon said Scientology had nothing to fear from a transparent inquiry where it would be given the right of reply. He said he would not abandon any victims of Scientology, adding he could be a "completely stubborn bastard" when it came to pursuing important issues. The church's Australian vice-president Cyrus Brooks has rejected the support of the mental health experts. "That's the wrong way for them to go there. They're going into the field of religion and they're in the field of mental health," he said. |
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Scientology in the spotlight amid fresh allegations By Quentin McDermott
Tonight's program focuses on the stories of Australians and Americans who have left the church. (ABC News) The allegations come just days before an expected Senate vote on whether to launch a Parliamentary inquiry into the church. Tonight's program, Scientology: The Ex-Files, focuses on the stories of Australians and Americans who have left the church and are now speaking out. Some are taking legal action against the church. The men and women featured in the program belonged to Scientology's elite unit of full-time staffers, the Sea Organisation - or Sea Org. The allegations in tonight's program include first hand accounts that some women have been coerced into having abortions because the Sea Org does not allow its members to have children while they work in the organisation; that children as young as 15 are interrogated about their sex lives, asked to work excessive hours, and punished severely if they fail to meet targets for recruiting members of the public; and that 'public' Scientologists - Scientologists who live and work in the broader community - are pressured over long periods of time into donating their life savings to the church. The church itself denies the allegations, and is vigorously defending the legal actions which are underway in the United States. As a religion, the Church of Scientology is tax-exempt in Australia and the United States. In other countries - for example, the United Kingdom - it does not have charitable status. The UK Charity Commission has determined that the Church of Scientology was not established for the public benefit. Over the past year, the Church has opened a number of new churches around the world, largely it is believed, funded by tax-free donations from ordinary parishioners. Tonight's program features an exclusive interview with a former rugby league player, Joe Reaiche, who played for Eastern Suburbs and Canterbury Bankstown in the 1970's. Mr Reaiche, who now lives in America, was declared a "suppressive person" and expelled from the church in 2005. He has not seen his children - who work in Hollywood and who remain public Scientologists - since then, and says he believes that they were warned not to contact him after he was declared a "suppressive person". Mr Reaiche told reporter Quentin McDermott: "You don't do that to a parent." Church of Scientology spokesman, Tommy Davis, denies that the church has a policy of disconnection. He says that members of the Church are free to maintain contact with relatives who have been expelled, but acknowledges that they would not then be welcome in the Church. Mr Davis told Four Corners: "If somebody is expelled from the church, anybody who insists on continuing to be connected to somebody who's been expelled from the church would be told that as long as they maintain that connection they're not welcome in the church." Tonight's program features interviews with three members of the Anderson family from Canberra. Liz Anderson, who left the church last year, has not seen her eldest daughter Fiona since 2005, when Fiona was posted overseas by the Sea Org in Sydney to join the Sea Org at its base in Clearwater, Florida. Mr and Mrs Anderson arranged for their youngest daughter Jordan to leave the church last year. Both Jordan and her older sister Fiona joined the Sea Organisation aged 14. Jordan tells Four Corners that she was asked to work excessive hours for minimal pay - and once worked 72 hours straight without sleep. The church's senior spokesman, Tommy Davis tells Four Corners that if that were the case, it would be "utterly and completely unacceptable". Tonight's program also highlights the issue of alleged "coerced" abortions within the church. Two former members of the church in America describe in detail how they were pressured to have abortions when they fell pregnant to their husbands within the Sea Organisation. Both women say that they wanted to give birth to the children, but were told not to do so. Mr Davis tells Four Corners: "Sea Org members do not have children. If someone is a member of the Sea Organisation and they wish to have a child, they would need to do so outside of the Sea Org," but he denies that the church has any policy of coercing women into having abortions. However, one of the women reporter Quentin McDermott interviewed has composed a list of 40 other women who - she says - say that they too were "coerced" into having abortions in America. Tonight's Four Corners presents evidence that women inside the Sea Org in Australia have also been put under pressure to have abortions when they fall pregnant. This week Independent Senator Nick Xenophon is expected to move that an inquiry take place into "the abuses against Australians that have taken place within the organisation of Scientology". Senator Xenophon told the Senate last November: "Scientology is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs." Prime Minister Kevin Rudd commented at the time: "Many people in Australia have real concerns about Scientology. I share some of those concerns." Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse
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Probe into Scientology rejected by Barney ZWARTZ
A SENATE inquiry into Scientology will not go ahead after the Rudd Government told the church it believed the Tax Office and police were the most appropriate authorities to investigate any complaints. A staff member for Government Senate leader Chris Evans has emailed Scientologists who wrote to him after independent senator Nick Xenophon made a series of explosive allegations in the Senate last month, saying it would be inappropriate to conduct an inquiry into a private, religious organisation. The email, from Hayden Falconer, noted that there was no precedent for the Senate to conduct such a targeted inquiry. ''It is not the role of the Parliament to inquire into the tax status of a particular organisation or individual, or to investigate criminal matters,'' it says. ''The role of the Senate is to inquire into issues of public policy and public administration.'' The Opposition yesterday cited similar arguments in its rejection of a probe, meaning Senator Xenophon will lack the numbers to establish the inquiry. But Senator Xenophon was undeterred, saying yesterday that in February he would call for a vote for an inquiry and did not accept the Government's argument. ''That's a cop-out. The matters for police will quite rightly go to the police, but there are matters there that relate to civil law and issues of law reform in terms of the tax free status,'' he said. ''If the major parties think that this is an issue that will go away, then they're kidding themselves.'' Senator Xenophon last month tabled letters from several former Scientologists alleging that the church was guilty of coercing abortions, forced labour, obstructing justice and covering up child abuse. Life for Scientology staff, former members wrote, featured unbearable hours, constant punishments, lack of access to medical care, and sometimes physical abuse and imprisonment. The vice-president of the Church of Scientology International, Robert Adams, told The Age that every single allegation tabled in Parliament by Senator Xenophon was ''meritless'', and many had been investigated and dismissed earlier by independent authorities. ''One way to measure that is how law enforcement responds to any of these allegations. There has been no interest because there has been no evidence,'' he said. ''Apostates are not credible witnesses. Like former spouses or employees, they are trying to find a reason why they departed.'' In Melbourne to address the Parliament of the World's Religions yesterday, Mr Adams said the former members were throwing mud, hoping some would stick. He also attacked Senator Xenophon, saying he was lucky not to be censured for violating parliamentary privilege. Meanwhile, Scientologists are upset that the Victorian Education Department cancelled schools' involvement in a human rights program run by the church without consultation, according to Melbourne president Emmanuel Foundas. Mr Foundas said the program, drawing pictures on human rights themes for a prize of a trip to the United Nations in New York, would continue. Asked if every complaint against the church was invalid, Mr Foundas said sometimes there were injustices, but the church worked hard to rectify these. ''We are self-correcting,'' he said. With Ari SHARP |
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La Scientologie accusée de torture en Australie
L'Eglise de scientologie pourrait faire l'objet d'une enquête en Australie après qu'un sénateur a accusé le mouve- ment d'être impliqué dans des avortements forcés, des actes de torture, des abus sexuels, des violences, des actes de chantage et des malversations, a déclaré le premier ministre australien, Kevin Rudd. Selon
le quotidien britannique The Guardian (http://www.guardian Parmi les lettres produites par le sénateur, figure celle d'un habitant de Perth, Aaron Saxton, qui reconnaît avoir torturé et fait chanter plusieurs personnes en Australie ainsi qu'au siège de l'organisation aux Etats-Unis entre 1989 et 1996. Cet ancien scientologue affirme également qu'une fidèle de l'Eglise a été assignée à résidence et torturée. Il ajoute avoir été impliqué dans des avortements forcés de plusieurs membres de l'organisation. Le premier ministre australien, qui a qualifié ces accusations de "graves", a dit qu'il envisageait d'ouvrir une enquête, même s'il convenait d'étudier les preuves avec prudence. "La Scientologie inquiète beaucoup de gens en Australie. Je partage certaines de ces inquiétudes, a-t-il déclaré. Mais nous devons avancer patiemment [sur ce dossier] avant de décider d'une éventuelle action parlementaire." Le Monde.fr |
Sénateur XENOPHON: "Je me lève ce soir pour parler d’un sujet de la plus haute importance qui mérite d’être décortiqué par les services de renforcement des lois et par ce parlement. Au cours des semaines précédentes, j’ai été contacté par d'ex- membres de l’Eglise de Scientologie à la suite d’interrogations que j’ai eues au sujet de l’exemption d’impôts dont jouit cette organisation sous notre régime de lois, exprimées lors d’une interview pour Seven Network’s, sur Today Tonight. Je souhaite profiter de cette oportunité pour rendre hommage au travail du reporter Bryan Seymour, qui, sous la direction de Craig McPherson (producteur de Today Tonight), a préparé plus d’une douzaine de sujets sur cette organisation. Je loue également le réseau pour avoir volontairement attribué des ressources considérables dans les tribunaux, assurant ainsi le juste traitement de ces sujets. J’étais aussi concerné par le fait récent paru dans l’Australian, sur l’autopsie d’Edward McBride. Comme le veut la procédure, le légiste John Lock avait fait la demande de documents de santé personnels du défunt, détenus à ce jour par l’Eglise de Scientologie qui ne les communique pas. Au lieu de cela, ces documents ont été déplacés de Brisbane à Sydney, pour s’envoler aux USA. Depuis que j’ai évoqué cette non-taxation sur Today Tonight, d’anciens disciples de la Scientologie m’ont écrit. Je laisse à disposition des copies de ces lettres. Certaines d’elles contiennent des noms de disciples, communiqués avec la permission des auteurs de celles-ci. Informé par ces déclarations, ayant consécutivement rencontré les personnes , et mené avec mon cabinet un travail conséquent de recherche et de documentation, je suis donc profondément concerné par cette organisation et l’impact dévastateur qu’elle peut avoir sur ses membres. De mon point de vue, il s’agit d’une organisation à deux visages D’un coté, il y’a la façade publique d’une organisation fondée en 1953 par l’écrivain de science fiction L Ron Hubbard, qui affirme proposer soutient et aide à ses disciples. De l’autre, il y’a le visage plus privé d’une organisation qui abuse de ses membres, qui détient le vice de bien cibler ses critiques, et semble dans l’ensemble pétrie de paranoïa. En France, l’organisation a été saisie par le Parquet pour fraude, et est également poursuivie en Belgique. Pendant ce temps, aux USA, un nombre d’ex-cadres hiérarchiques de la Scientologie ont rompu la loi du silence en s’exprimant au St Petersburg Times en Floride, où leur QG international est situé. Ces personnes déclarent avoir été témoin de douzaines d’agressions de la part du leader, David Miscavige, sur des membres de son équipe. Il en aurait également commandité certaines. Ces cadres affirment également que l’organisation a fait usage de chantage et de menace contre d’anciens membres, a fait main-basse sur des accusations, et que l’organisation est connue pour avoir fait obstruction à la justice en série. Les révelations font part du fait que les informations fournies par les membres lors de ce qui est nommé les ’auditions’ (une forme de soumission à la Question sous forme de séances de conseil, dans lesquelles cette église tient son rôle) étaient utilisées pour faire chanter et manipuler ces membres.
La Scientologie n’est pas une organisation d’ordre confessionnel. C’est du crime organisé, que l’on cache derrière des soit-disant croyances religieuses. Ce que l’on croit ne dédouane pas de la responsabilité de ses actes. Ces lettres que j’ai reçues, écrites par d’ex-membres en Australie, contiennent des allégations de crimes et d’abus en profusion, et qui sont réellement choquants ( des crimes commis sur leur personne et des crimes qu’ils ont été forcés de faire par coercition): séquestrations, avortements forcés, détournements des fonds de l’église, violence physique, intimidation, chantage, et utilisation étendue et abusive des informations person- nelles obtenues par l’organisation. Il est déclaré que les informations concernant les morts suspectes et les abus d’enfants ont été détruites, et un des disciples a admis que l’organisation l’a obligé à se parjurer lors d’enquêtes menées sur le décès de ses deux filles. Ces victimes de la Scientologie clament que c’est une organisation violente, manipulatrice, abusive et criminelle, et que cette criminalité est instiguée en haut de la pyramide. Aaron Saxton est une des victimes qui m’a écrit. Il est né au sein du groupuscule, et s’est élevé à une position influente à Sydney, puis aux USA. Il déclare que lorsqu’il était enfant, sa mère à été forcée à se démunir de l’autorité parentale, en faveur de la Scientologie, afin de délocaliser le petit en Australie. Il déclare aussi qu’en janvier 1990, l’organisation lui a imposé le silence sur une tentative de viol par un individu sur sa personne. Il dit que cela était possible grâce à la politique de relations publiques de cette organisation. Aaron était encore un enfant lorsqu’on lui a demandé de couvrir un trafic et vol d’espèces et de cartes de crédit par un employé Scientologue. L’organisation poussait les limites du contrôle sur les personnes à des seuils effrayants. Dix fois au moins, il fut forcé à une pénitence de 15 jours d’un régime de riz et haricots secs. Et à cause de l'interdiction de soins médicaux, il fut forcé de s’extraire lui-même ses dents sans l’aide d’anti-douleurs. A 16 ans on le promut garde de l’église. Son rôle consistait aussi à distribuer des ’injonctions de non-commu- nication’ à 5-6 familles (coupure des liens familiaux), dont la sienne. Les ordres étaient que tout contact avec la famille et les proches devaient être bannis, sous peine de punition. (menaces) Dans ses déclarations, Aaron dévoile qui a été forcé à participer à la séquestration illégale et à la torture sur un membre détenu chez lui. Aaron dit aussi avoir eu accès à plus de 150 dossiers contenant des informations personnelles des membres, obtenues principalement lors des séances d’ ’auditions’. Ces informations supposées confidentielles ne l’étaient pas. Selon Aaron, elles étaient utilisées pour exercer du chantage sur les membres afin de les maintenir au sein de l’église, mais également utilisées à postériori pour discréditer d’anciens membres lors de leur départ. Cette violation était institutionnelle. Aaron nous dit aussi qu’il a été impliqué dans l’’élimination de dossiers concernant un membre qui s'est suicidé. Fait inquiétant, Aaron révèle au grand jour la politique d’avortement menée par l’organisation. Il avoue que sous contrôle de la Scientologie, il a été impliqué dans un travail de coercition sur des femmes pour les contraindre à l'avortement. Ceci était dans la droite lignée de cette politique de management destinée à maintenir les disciples fidèles et corvéables. Aaron dit que les femmes qui tombaient enceintes étaient emmenées à des cabinets et travaillées jusqu’à ce qu’elles aillent au bout. Si elles refusaient elles étaient dégradées et envoyées au travaux forcés. L’objectif étant: de faire céder ces femmes, ou bien de déclencher une fausse-couche. Aaron révèle qu’une femme a utilisé sur elle-même un cintre afin d’avorter, par crainte des représailles. Elle fut libérée par l'organisation et les dossiers détruits. En 1991, lorsqu’ Aaron fut envoyé au QG de Floride, il a été impliqué dans le détournement de fonds de la Scien- tologie, pour payer des gratifications aux cadres de l’organisation. Il devait aussi falsifier des relevés de comptes bancaires, et a ordonné le transfert d’un trentaine de personnes vers des camps de travail, où ils étaient forcés au dur labeur (le RPF de la scientologie). Il a également utilisé des informations personnelles et financières pour tracer des membres qui tentaient de s'échapper. (délation) Aaron ajoute que l’organisation l’a forcé à produire des faux certificats de scolarité pour les enfants de moins de 15 ans, afin de pouvoir utiliser leur main d’oeuvre. Sous les ordres de la Scientologie, il a également opéré 5 séquestrations à domicile. Tant que les détenus ne livraient pas ce qu’on attendait d’eux, ils ne pouvaient être libres de leurs allées et venues. Aaron aurait aussi eu vent de deux cas de meurtres aux USA, mais ces informations ne seraient pas remontées aux autorités. Il revèle avoir fait disparaître des documents qui reliaient un membre scientologue à un meurtre, pendant qu’il résidait aux USA, ceci toujours en obédience à ses supérieurs. (Confessions de crimes non transmises à la justice) Lui-même et d’autres membres auraient glanné dans les dossiers de célébrités scientologues des informations susceptibles d’être utilisées comme levier pour provoquer plus de dévouement et de dons à l’organisation. On pourrait nommer cela du chantage. D’autres détails sont livrés sur le fait d’avoir tenté de forcer une célébrité scientologue à pratiquer un avortement. Le jeune homme coupable d’avoir engrossé la célébrité fut banni et coupé de tout contact de ses parents, qui restèrent eux scientologues. Aaron avoue qu’il était tellement sous influence et contrôlé par la structure hiérarchique spécifique à l’organisation qu’il fut complice d’un lynchage commandité d’un membre, et qu’il participa également à un autre pour la mise en place. Il dit avoir dissimulé un scientologue en cavale, et avoue aussi avoir ordonné qu’on jette un individu par dessus-bord du Freewinds, le bateau de la Scientologie. Il ignore si cet ordre à été accompli. Aaron a aujourd’hui quitté cette organisation et se porte volontaire pour coopérer dans le sens des enquêtes de police à ce sujet. Né dans cette secte, il regrette le contrôle qu’elle a eu sur lui, et les choses qu’il a pu faire alors.
Est-ce que cela ressemble à une organisation qui mérite le soutient du contribuable australien, sous prétexte qu’elle se proclame être une religion ? J’ai aussi reçu une correspondance de la part de Carmel Underwood, une autre ex-membre et victime de la Scientologie. Elle dit que lorsqu’elle travaillait à Sydney pour l’organisation, elle est tombée enceinte, et pressurée à l’extrême pour avorter. Comme elle refusait, on l’a condamnée à un ’programme de disparition’. Carmel a aussi travaillé dans le département comptable. Elle dit que les demandes de fonds pour les avortements n'étaient jamais contestées, alors que l’on pinaillait et traînait pour toute autre requête. Carmel aurait aussi été témoin de la maltraitance commise par un père sur sa jeune fille afin de la travailler sur ce qu’elle aurait à déclarer aux autorités afin couvrir des crimes. Carmel a été agressée physiquement par un dirigeant lors d’une dispute. Lorsqu’elle quitte enfin l'organisation de scientologie, toutes les informations qu’elle avait livrées à son sujet (pendant les ’auditions’) sont retournées contre elle pour la décrédibiliser. Carmel dit qu’elle a décidé de parler parce qu’elle sait qu’il y’a bien plus de victimes qui sont prises dans les filets de l’organisation, et qui sont abusés physiquement, financièrement et mentalement. L’époux de Carmel, Tim, soutient les déclarations de sa femme, et dit que le couple a traversé des difficultés financières graves liées à leur implication dans l’organisation. Il dit qu’ils ont été forcés à payer plus de 100'000 dollars pour financer la promotion du groupe, et pour l’accès à des soit-disant textes religieux et des cours. C’est inconcevable, quand on y pense: la Bible est libre d’accès dans toute chambre d’hôtel du pays, mais les textes et les cours de Scientologie peuvent coûter aux disciples toutes leurs économies et même des fortunes qu'ils n’ont pas en les poussant à contracter des emprunts.
Il affirme également la dissimulation d’abus d’enfants de la part de l’organisation, et ils avoue avoir lui-même participé à une campagne de couverture pour masquer des faits relatifs au décès de deux de ses filles. Paul dit que sa fille aînée, Lauren, se faisait garder dans les locaux de la structure à 14 mois lorsqu’elle est tombée dans les escaliers (non assistance médicale). Elle est décédée deux jours plus tard à l’hôpital. Paul dit qu’il se senti mis sous-pression par la hiérarchie scientologue afin qu’il n’éxige pas d’autopsie. Il céda évidemment. On l’a menacé, lui et sa femme, d’être dépourvus de tout droit et service s’il demandait des dommages et intérêts. Kristy, la seconde petite fille, est morte à 2 ans et demi, après avoir ingéré du chlorure de potassium, une substance utilisée pour purger dans les programmes de purification du groupe (médecine illégale). Sous la direction des leaders scientologues, Paul s’est parjuré en fournissant de faux témoignages à la police et pour l’enquête légiste, afin de protéger l’organisation. C’est sous une pression terrible qu’il accepta de mentir, par peur d’être très gravement puni s’il révélait la vérité. C’est une décision qu’il regrette aujourd’hui. Déclarations de la part d’Anna et Dean Detheridge J’ai reçu des déclarations de la part d’Anna et Dean Detheridge, clamant avoir été sujets à des abus physiques et mentaux du temps de leur adhésion. Anna écrit qu’on lui ordonna de couper les ponts avec sa soeur du fait de son homosexualité, et donc, conformément à la Scientologie, un individu dangereux, perverti et mauvais (coupure des liens familiaux). Anna et Dean ont aussi fourni les preuves de l’utilisation d’informations qu’ils auraient livrées, (eux-mêmes et d'autres membres) pour opérer chantage et contrôle. Ils apportent aussi des informations sur les avortements forcés. Kevin Mackey m’ a écrit en détail ses 26 ans d’existence abusé par la Scientologie Dans cette lettre, nous pouvons lire: "Lorsque l’on débute en Scientologie, rien ne parraît bizarre ou étrange... en fait, la Scientologie est perçue par les yeux d’un débutant comme le Consolateur envoyé du ciel." Et il poursuit ainsi: " Après que vous ayez mordu à l’hameçon, la véritable Scientologie vous est dévoilée, très progressivement, au fil des années." Ce conditionnement psychologique dont parle Kevin l’ont tout de même poussé à débourser pratiquement un million de dollars pour des produits et services scientologues. D’autres familles m’ont contacté, exprimant une grande inquiétude au sujet de leurs enfants sous l’emprise de l'organisation. Mais ils m’ont demandé de ne pas réveler leurs noms de peur de ne plus jamais les revoir. Une autre victime de la Scientologie, Peta O’Brien, écrit au sujet du travail de sape effectué par le groupe pour l'empêcher de soigner son cancer. Elle apporte aussi des preuves d’agressions et d’avoir été arrachée à son fils, alors qu’ils étaient tous deux membres. Ces déclarations sont graves, et beaucoup des noms ont été masqués dans les lettres mises à disposition du Sénat ce soir, mais les noms n’ont pas été éliminés des copies que j’ai fournies à la police. Il doit y avoir enquête au sujet de cette organisation Ces victimes de la Scientologie se sont livrées en prenant de grands risques, et leur acte est honorable. Je souhaite donc encourager toutes les autres victimes de la Scientologie à se faire connaître, à contacter la police ou contacter mon cabinet, le plus important étant de révéler la vérité. Je pense également que les activités de la Scientologie devraient être suivies de très près par le Parlement, parce que le contribuable australien soutient cette organisation, de part son statut d’organisation exemptée d’impôts. Je le demande à tous les australiens: alors que vous remplissez votre formulaire de déclaration d’impôts, comment vous sentez-vous en sachant que vous payez vos impôts alors que cette organisation criminelle ne le fait pas ? Souhaitez-vous que l'exemption d’impôts soutienne une organisation qui force ses membres à avorter contre leur volonté ? Voulez-vous accorder votre soutien à un groupe qui pratique la fraude, l’escroquerie, le chantage et la séquestration de personnes ? D’après le poids des preuves fourni par les victimes de la Scientologie, c’est ce qui ce passe en ce moment. Souhaitons-nous réellement favoriser financièrement une organisation qui transforme ses membres en victimes, dans sa quête de pouvoir et d’argent ? C’est pourquoi j’en appelle au Sénat pour lancer une enquête sur cette organisation et son exemption d’impôts. Au cours du passé, la Scientologie à rétorqué que ceux qui interrogeaient leur organisation attaquaient la liberté de culte. Une logique bien retorse, c’est le moins que l’on puisse dire ! La liberté de culte n’implique pas que l’Église Catholique ou Protestante n’aient pas été tenues responsables des crimes et abus perpétrés par leurs prêtres, nonnes et autres représentants, même à postériori. Pour conclure, le sujet n’est pas la liberté de culte. En Australie, nous n’avons aucune limites aux croyances de chacun. Mais il y’a bien des limites concernant la manière de se conduire. Ça s’appelle la loi, et personne n’est au-dessus."
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Scientology faces allegations of torture in Australia By Toni O'Loughlin in Sydney guardian.co.uk Australian prime minister considers inquiry after senator tables allegations including forced abortions, assault and blackmail
The Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has said he would consider an inquiry into the Church of Scientology after a senator tabled allegations against the organisation including forced abortions, assault, torture, imprisonment, covering up sexual abuse, embezzlement of church funds and blackmail. Senator Nick Xenophon tabled letters from former officials and staff of the Church of Scientology alleging criminal activity, and demanded a review of the organisation's tax exempt status. "Scientology is not a religious organisation, it is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs," he told the senate. Among the letters tabled was one written by Aaron Saxton, from Perth, who said he engaged in torture and blackmail while working for the church in Australia and at its American headquarters between 1989 and 1996. Rudd said the allegations were "grave" and that he would consider an inquiry, but said the evidence needed to be looked at carefully. "Many people in Australia have real concerns about Scientology. I share some of those concerns. But let us proceed carefully, and look carefully at the material which he has provided, before we make a decision on further parliamentary action," Rudd said. Xenophon, an independent member of the Australian parliament who built a reputation fighting the spread of poker machines in his home state, South Australia, tabled the documents in the senate saying he had also referred the allegations to New South Wales and Australian federal police. Xenophon said he had received letters from many more former church members who were too afraid to talk to authorities. The letter from Aaron Saxton claimed he had assisted in the forced confinement and torture of a female church member who was kept under house arrest, Xenophon told the Senate. Saxton also said he was involved in coercing female followers to have abortions to keep followers loyal to the organisation and to allow them to keep working for it. "Aaron says women who fell pregnant were taken to offices and bullied to have an abortion. If they refused, they faced demotion and hard labour," Xenophon said. "Aaron says one staff member used a coat hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment.". One letter from a former executive director of the Sydney branch of the church, Carmel Underwood, said that when she fell pregnant she was put under extreme pressure to have an abortion. "Carmel says she also witnessed a young girl who had been molested by her father being coached as to what she should say to investigating authorities in order to keep the crimes secret," Xenophon said. Anna and Dean Detheridge from Sydney, who spent 17 years on church staff, said they were "subjected to physical and mental abuse during their time with the organisation", according to the parliamentary statement. "Anna and Dean also provided evidence where information they and others have revealed to the church have been used to blackmail and control. They also provided more information about coerced abortions," Xenophon said. The Church of Scientology issued a statement accusing Xenophon of abusing parliamentary privilege. "Senator Xenophon is obviously being pressured by disgruntled former members who use hate speech and distorted accounts," the statement said. "They are about as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner." |
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Australie: nouveaux témoignages d'ex-scientologues 19 novembre 2009 Depuis
près de deux ans, le journaliste
australien Bryan Seymour
Aaron was with the Australian Church of Scientology International CMO. He shares stories from inside Scientology’s Sea Org. He was one those who Senator Xenophon cited when he called Scientology a criminal organization:
Aaron
Saxton Interview: http://www.xenutv.com/blog/?p=3901 |
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part1
part2
Transcription Source:
Anonymous I rise to speak tonight on an issue of utmost seriousness that I believe deserves a great deal of scrutiny by law enforcement agencies and by this parliament. In the past few weeks, I have been contacted by former members of the Church of Scientology after I questioned the tax exemption status the organisation has under our tax laws during an interview on the Seven Network’s Today Tonight. I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of reporter Bryan Seymour, who, under the leadership of Craig McPherson, executive producer of Today Tonight, has prepared more than two dozen stories on this organisation. I also commend the network for its willingness to dedicate considerable resources in the courts to ensure these stories have rightly been put to air. I was also concerned by a recent story in the Australian about the coronial inquest into the death of Edward McBride. Coroner John Lock had requested personal records of Mr McBride held by the Church of Scientology as part of the inquest but these documents were not forthcoming. Instead, they were shifted by the organisation from Brisbane to Sydney and then on to the United States. Since I made those initial comments about taxation on Today Tonight, a number of former followers of Scientology have written to me. These people rightly see themselves as victims of Scientology and they have provided long and detailed letters to me about the workings of this organisation. I seek leave to have copies of these letters tabled, some of which have had the names of some Scientology followers deleted with the permission of the authors. Having read the statements and subsequently met with the people who provided them, as well as having read a significant amount of research conducted by my office, I am deeply concerned about this organisation and the devastating impact it can have on its followers. In my view, this is two-faced organisation. There is the public face of the organisation founded in 1953 by the late science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard, which claims to offer guidance and support to its followers, and there is the private face of the organisation, which abuses its followers, viciously targets its critics and seems largely driven by paranoia. In France, the organisation was recently convicted of fraud and it is also facing charges in Belgium. Meanwhile, in the USA a number of former high-ranking Scientology executives have broken their silence about the organisation, talking to the St Petersburg Times in Florida where its international headquarters are located. The executives say they witnessed the head of the organisation, David Miscavige, assault staff members dozens of times and they say he also urged others to commit assault. The executives also claim the organisation has used blackmail and threats against former members and perceived critics of the organisation, and that the organisation has knowingly repeatedly obstructed justice. Claims have also been made that information provided to the organisation by members during what are known as auditing sessions, which are a crude hybrid of confession and counselling and for which the organisation claims so-called priest penitent privilege, was then used to blackmail and manipulate members. What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence this is not happening by accident; it is happening by design. Scientology is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs. What you believe does not mean you are not accountable for how you behave. The letters received by me which were written by former followers in Australia contain extensive allegations of crimes and abuses that are truly shocking—crimes against them and crimes they say they were coerced into committing. There are allegations of false imprisonment, coerced abortions, embezzlement of church funds, physical violence, intimidation, blackmail and the widespread and deliberate abuse of information obtained by the organisation. It is alleged that information about suspicious deaths and child abuse has been destroyed, and one follower has admitted he was coerced by the organisation into perjuring himself during investigations into the deaths of his two daughters. These victims of Scientology claim it is an abusive, manipulative, violent and criminal organisation, and that criminality is condoned at the highest levels. Aaron Saxton is one of the victims of Scientology who wrote to me. He was born into the organisation and rose to a position of influence in Sydney and the United States. In his statement, he says that when he was a child his mother was coerced into signing over guardianship of him to a Scientology official so he could be moved to Australia. In or around January 1990, he was told by the organisation not to report the attempted rape of him by a man. He says this was due to the organisation’s public relations policy. Aaron was still a child when, he says, he was asked to cover up the defrauding of credit cards and cash by a Scientology employee. He says the organisation exercised frightening levels of control over followers. At least 10 times was forced to endure a diet of beans and rice for periods of up to two weeks as punishment. And because of Scientology’s bans on medications and seeking medical attention, he says, he was forced at times to extract his own teeth without the aid of painkillers. At age 16, Aaron says, he was made a security guard for the church. In this role, he says, he issued so-called non-communication orders on no less than half a dozen families, including his own. These orders forced members of the organisation to cut off all contact with relatives and friends for fear of punishment. In his statement, Aaron says he was also forced to participate in the illegal confinement and torture of a follower who was kept under house arrest. Aaron says he accessed more than 150 files that contained personal information on followers, much of which was obtained during so-called auditing. This information is meant to be confidential. It is not. Aaron says this information was used to blackmail followers to keep them in the church as well as to discredit former followers if they left. This was a condoned violation of the so-called priest-penitent privilege. Aaron says he was also involved in deleting files of a member who had suicided. Disturbingly, Aaron has also spoken out against the organisation’s policy on abortions. He says while under the control of Scientology he was involved in coercing female followers to have abortions. He says this was in line with a policy designed to keep followers loyal to the organisation and to allow them to keep working for the organisation. Aaron says women who fell pregnant were taken to offices and bullied to have an abortion. If they refused, they faced demotion and hard labour. Aaron says the hope in the organisation was that if these pregnant women were given these punishments they would give in and have an abortion or miscarry. Aaron says one staff member used a coat hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment. He says she was released from the organisation and the files were destroyed. In 1991 Aaron says he was sent to Scientology headquarters in Florida, where he was involved in the removal of funds from Scientology bank accounts to pay for private services for executives in the organisation. He also says he was made to falsify bank records and ordered more than 30 people to be sent to Scientology’s work camps, where they were forced to undertake hard labour. He also says he used personal and financial information of followers to track them down if they tried to leave. Aaron has said the organisation forced him to create fraudulent education certificates for children under the age of 15 in order to allow them to work for the organisation. He also says he was coerced into putting five individuals under house arrest on five separate occasions. These people were not permitted to leave until the organisation had obtained, through coercion, the statements it wanted. Aaron also claims knowledge of two instances where followers in the United States confessed to murder but this information was not passed on to police. He also says while in the United States he was ordered by superiors to remove documents that would link a Scientology staff member to murder. Aaron says he and other members opened the files of several celebrity Scientologists in order to glean information which could be used as leverage to force a greater commitment to the organisation. Some might call that blackmail. In his statement he also details attempts which were made to coerce one celebrity Scientologist into having an abortion. He says the young man who impregnated the celebrity was forced from the organisation and cut off from his parents, who remained Scientologists. Aaron said he was so heavily under the control of the organisation’s bizarre power structure he was complicit in ordering the beating of one follower and facilitated the beating of another. He says he was ordered to help a Scientologist who was hiding from authorities and admits to ordering the throwing overboard of a man from the Scientology ship the Freewinds. He is not sure if this order was ever carried out. Aaron has now left the organisation and is willing to cooperate with police investigations into these matters. He was born into the cult, and he says he regrets the control it had over him and the things he did as a result. I ask my fellow senators: do these things sound like religious activities to you? Does this sound like an organisation that should be receiving support from the Australian taxpayer in the form of tax exemptions because they claim to be a religion ? I have also received correspondence from Carmel Underwood, another former member and another victim of Scientology. She says that while she was working for the organisation in Sydney she fell pregnant and was put under extreme pressure to have an abortion. When she refused, she was put on a disappearing program. Carmel also worked for the organisation’s financial planning arm and says that when requests for payments for abortions were made by the organisation’s executives they were never questioned, even though all other requests for funds were met with delays and haggled over. Carmel says she also witnessed a young girl who had been molested by her father being coached as to what she should say to investigating authorities in order to keep the crimes secret. Carmel says she was physically assaulted by a representative of the organisation during an argument. And when she finally left the organisation, she says, information she divulged during so-called auditing was used by members to discredit her. Carmel says she chose to speak out because she knows there are many more victims of Scientology, many of whom are still caught up in the organisation and are being physically, financially and mentally abused. Carmel’s husband, Tim, supports his wife’s story and says the couple suffered serious financial hardship because of their involvement in the organisation. He says they were forced to pay more than $100,000 (£59,000) to publicise the organisation and for so-called religious texts and courses. It is incredible to think that the Christian Bible is free in every hotel room in the country, but Scientology texts and courses can cost followers their life savings and even fortunes they do not have and feel compelled to borrow. One of the saddest correspondences I have received — and they are all sad — is from Paul Schofield. He also alleges the cover-up of child abuse by the organisation and admits being part of a campaign to cover up the facts surrounding the deaths of two of his daughters. Paul says his first daughter, Lauren, who was 14 months old, was being babysat at the organisation’s building in Sydney when she was allowed to wander the stairs by herself and fall. She died in hospital two days later. Paul says he felt pressured by Scientology executives not to request a coronial inquiry, pressure he ultimately gave in to. He was also told if he sought compensation from Scientology he and his wife would be ineligible for any other services. His second daughter, Kirsty, who was 2½, died after ingesting potassium chloride — a substance used as part of a so-called purification program run by the organisation. Under the direction of Scientology executives, Paul says he perjured himself to the police, and during the coronial inquest, in order to protect the organisation. Under incredible pressure he agreed to lie because he was scared he would be heavily punished by Scientology if he told the truth. It is a decision he regrets to this day. I have received statements from Anna and Dean Detheridge who claim to have been subjected to physical and mental abuse during their time with the organisation. Anna says she was instructed by the organisation to disconnect from her sister because her sister was gay and therefore, according to Scientology, dangerous, perverted and evil. Anna and Dean also provided evidence where information they and others have revealed to the church have been used to blackmail and control. They also provided more information about coerced abortions. Kevin Mackey wrote to me detailing his 26 years of abuse in the organisation. In his letter, which I have tabled, he says: ‘‘When one begins Scientology there is nothing weird or space alien about it ... in fact Scientology as seen by a newbie is a Godsend to a troubled soul.’’ But he goes on to say: ‘‘Once you have taken the bait and become hooked, the real Scientology is presented, very slowly, over years.’’ This psychological conditioning Kevin is talking about eventually saw him and his wife hand over almost a million dollars to the organisation in exchange for services and products. Other families have contacted me expressing grave concerns about their children who are still under the control of this organisation. But they have asked that I do not identify them for fear of never hearing from their children again. Another victim of Scientology, Peta O’Brien, wrote of being discouraged by the organisation from seeking treatment for cancer. She has also provided evidence of being assaulted and cut off from her son while they were both part of the organisation. These allegations are serious, and many names have been removed from the letters I have tabled in the Senate tonight, but those names have not been removed from copies I am providing to the police. This organisation must be investigated. These victims of Scientology have spoken out at considerable personal risk, and I commend them for that. And I would encourage other victims of Scientology to come forward, contact the police or contact my office — but, most importantly, speak out. I also believe the activities of this organisation should be scrutinised by parliament because Australian taxpayers are, in effect, supporting Scientology through its tax-exempt status. I say to all Australians: as you fill in your tax return next July or August, ask yourself how you feel knowing that you are paying tax and yet this criminal organisation is not. Do you want Australian tax exemptions to be supporting an organisation that coerces its followers into having abortions ? Do you want to be supporting an organisation that defrauds, that blackmails, that falsely imprisons ? Because, on the balance of evidence provided by victims of Scientology, you probably are. Do we really want to be funding an organisation that turns supporters into victims in its pursuit of power and wealth? That is why I am calling for a Senate inquiry into this organisation and its tax-exempt status. In the past Scientology has claimed that those who question their organisation are attacking the group’s religious freedom. It is twisted logic, to say the least. Religious freedom did not mean the Catholic or Anglican Churches were not held accountable for crimes and abuses committed by their priests, nuns and officials —albeit belatedly. Ultimately, this is not about religious freedom. In Australia there are no limits on what you can believe. But there are limits on how you can behave. It is called the law, and no-one is above it. Le 17 novembre 2009, Sénat de l'Australie,
Canberra Première partie Sénateur Nicholas Xenophon: Merci, Madame la vice-présidente suppléante. Je me lève ce soir pour soulever une question extrêmement grave qui, à mon avis, mérite un examen approfondi de la part des forces de l'ordre et de ce parlement. Au cours des dernières semaines, j'ai été contacté par d'anciens membres de l'Église de Scientologie, après une entrevue dans laquelle j'ai remis en question l'exonération fiscale dont cette organisation jouit en vertu de nos lois, entrevue diffusée par le réseau "Seven Network" à son émission "Today Tonight." Je tiens à saisir cette occasion pour rendre hommage au travail du journaliste Bryan Seymour, qui, sous la direction du producteur exécutif de "Today Tonight," Craig McPherson, a réalisé plus de 2 douzaines de reportages sur cette organisation. Je félicite également le réseau pour sa volonté de déployer des ressources considérables afin de défendre devant les tribunaux le droit légitime de diffuser ces reportages. J'ai également été préoccupé par une nouvelle récente dans le journal "The Australian" au sujet de l'enquête du coroner sur le décès d'Edward McBride. Le coroner John Lock a demandé des dossiers personnels de M. McBride détenus par l'Église de Scientologie. Cette demande a été faite dans le cadre de l'enquête, mais les documents n'ont pas été fournis. Au contraire, l'organisation les a déplacés de Brisbane à Sydney, puis aux États-Unis. Après la diffusion de mes remarques sur la fiscalité à l'émission "Today Tonight," certains anciens adeptes de la Scientologie m'ont écrit. Ces personnes, à juste titre, se voient comme des victimes de la Scientologie et elles m'ont fourni des lettres longues et détaillées sur les rouages de cette organisation. Je demande la permission de déposer des copies de ces lettres, dans lesquelles certains noms d'adeptes de la Scientologie ont été supprimés avec l'accord des auteurs. J'en demande la permission. Vice-présidente suppléante: Y a-t-il consentement ? Comme il n'y a aucune objection, la permission est accordée. Sénateur Xenophon. Sénateur Nicholas Xenophon: Merci, Madame la vice-présidente suppléante. Ayant lu ces déclarations et ayant ensuite rencontré les personnes qui les ont fournies, et ayant aussi lu une somme considérable de recherches effectuées par mon bureau, je suis profondément préoccupé au sujet de cette organisation et de l'impact dévastateur qu'elle peut avoir sur ses adeptes. À mon avis, il s'agit d'une organisation à deux faces. Sa face publique est celle d'une organisation fondée en 1953 par l'auteur de science fiction décédé L. Ron Hubbard, qui prétend offrir conseils et soutien à ses fidèles. Sa face privée est celle d'une organisation qui abuse de ses adeptes, s'acharne à pourfendre quiconque la critique et semble largement imprégnée de paranoïa. En France, cette organisation a récemment été condamnée pour escroquerie et elle fait face également à des accusations en Belgique. Entre temps, aux États-Unis, d'anciens cadres haut placés de la Scientologie ont rompu leur silence à propos de cette organisation en se confiant au journal "Saint Petersburg Times" en Floride, lieu de son siège social international. Ces cadres rapportent avoir vu le chef de l'organisation, David Miscavige, agresser des membres du personnel à des douzaines d'occasions et ils affirment qu'il a également incité d'autres personnes à commettre des agressions. Ces cadres affirment aussi que l'organisation a usé de chantage et de menaces contre d'anciens membres et contre des personnes perçues comme des détracteurs et que l'organisation a sciemment et à maintes reprises entravé la justice. Il est aussi allégué que les renseignements fournis à l'organisation par des membres pendant des séances dites "d'audition," qui sont une espèce d'amalgame entre une confession et un service de conseil et pour lesquelles l'organisation revendique le soi-disant secret confessionnel, ont par la suite été utilisés pour faire chanter et pour manipuler ces membres. Ce que nous constatons, c'est un phénomène d'abus et de criminalité à l'échelle mondiale, et l'ensemble des informations indiquent que ce n'est pas un accident; c'est voulu. La Scientologie n'est pas une organisation religieuse. Il s'agit d'une organisation criminelle qui se cache derrière ses soi-disant croyances religieuses. Nos croyances ne nous dispensent pas de la responsabilité de nos actes. Les lettres que j'ai reçues d'anciens adeptes en Australie contiennent une multitude d'allégations de crimes et d'abus qui sont réellement choquants, des crimes commis contre ces personnes et des crimes que ces personnes affirment avoir été forcées de commettre. On y trouve des allégations de séquestration illégale, d'avortements forcés et de détournements des fonds de l'église, de violence physique et d'intimidation, de chantage et d'abus fréquents et planifiés des informations obtenues par l'organisation. Il est allégué que des informations concernant des morts suspectes et des abus d'enfants ont été détruites, et un adepte a admis que l'organisation l'a obligé à se parjurer lors des enquêtes sur le décès de ses deux filles. Ces victimes de la Scientologie affirment que c'est une organisation abusive, manipulatrice, violente et criminelle, et que cette criminalité est acceptée par ses plus hauts dirigeants. Aaron Saxton est une des victimes de la Scientologie qui m'a écrit. Il est né au sein de l'organisation et il a atteint un poste d'influence à Sydney et aux États-Unis. Il dit dans sa déclaration que sa mère a été forcée à signer le transfert de sa garde, lorsqu'il était enfant, à un responsable scientologue, afin de le réinstaller en Australie. En ou vers janvier 1990, l'organisation lui a ordonné de ne pas signaler la tentative de viol faite contre lui par un homme. Il dit que c'était en raison de la politique des relations publiques de l'organisation. Aaron était encore un enfant, dit-il, lorsqu'on lui a demandé de se taire au sujet des abus de cartes de crédit et des vols d'argent commis par un employé scientologue. Il souligne que l'organisation exerçait un contrôle effrayant sur les adeptes. À au moins 10 reprises, il a été forcé d'endurer un régime alimentaire de riz et haricots pour des périodes allant jusqu'à 2 semaines, comme punition. Et à cause des interdictions scientologues contre les médicaments et les soins médicaux, il dit qu'il a parfois été forcé de s'extraire lui-même des dents sans l'aide de médicaments contre la douleur. Aaron dit qu'à l'âge de 16 ans, il est devenu gardien de sécurité pour l'église. Il raconte qu'au cours de ses fonctions il a émis des ordres dits de non-communication contre pas moins de 6 familles, y compris la sienne. Ces ordres ont obligé les membres de l'organisation à rompre tout contact avec la parenté et les amis, sous peine de punition. Dans sa déclaration, Aaron dit qu'il a également été forcé de participer à la séquestration illégale et à la torture d'un adepte qui a été détenu à domicile. Aaron dit aussi avoir eu accès à plus de 150 dossiers contenant des informations personnelles sur des adeptes, informations pour la plupart recueillies pendant les séances dites d'audition. Ces informations sont censées être confidentielles. Elles ne le sont pas. Selon Aaron, ces informations ont été utilisées pour exercer un chantage sur les adeptes afin de les garder dans le giron de l'église, ainsi que pour discréditer les anciens membres, advenant leur départ. Il s'agit d'une violation approuvée du soi-disant secret confessionnel. Aaron dit qu'il a aussi été impliqué dans la suppression des dossiers d'un membre qui s'est suicidé. Autre fait troublant, Aaron dénonce la politique d'avortement imposée par l'organisation. Il admet que, lorsqu'il était sous l'emprise de la Scientologie, il a joué un rôle de coercition à l'endroit d'adeptes féminines pour les pousser à l'avortement. Il explique que cette coercition s'inscrit dans une politique visant à garder les adeptes fidèles à l'organisation et à leur permettre de continuer à travailler pour l'organisation. Aaron dit que les femmes qui tombaient enceintes étaient emmenées à des bureaux et harcelées pour les contraindre à l'avortement. Si elles refusaient, elles risquaient la rétrogradation et les travaux forcés. Selon Aaron, l'organisation espérait que, si des femmes enceintes étaient assujetties à de telles punitions, soit elles céderaient et auraient recours à l'avorte- ment, soit elles feraient une fausse-couche. Aaron révèle qu'une femme membre du personnel s'est servie d'un cintre afin d'avorter par elle-même, par crainte de représailles. Il dit qu'elle a été renvoyée par l'organisation et que ses dossiers ont été détruits. Aaron dit qu'en 1991 il a été envoyé au siège de la Scientologie en Floride, où il a été impliqué dans le détourne- ment de fonds des comptes bancaires de la Scientologie pour payer des dépenses privées de cadres de l'organi- sation. Il dit également qu'il devait falsifier des relevés de comptes bancaires et qu'il a ordonné l'envoi de plus de 30 personnes aux camps de travail de la Scientologie, où elles ont été astreintes à des travaux forcés. Il dit aussi qu'il a utilisé des informations personnelles et financières concernant des adeptes pour les retracer s'ils tentaient de partir. Aaron ajoute que l'organisation l'a forcé à produire de faux certificats de scolarité pour des enfants de moins de 15 ans afin qu'ils puissent travailler pour l'organisation. Il dit également qu'il a été forcé de d'imposer la détention à domicile de 5 personnes à 5 occasions différentes. Les détenus n'avaient pas la permission de sortir jusqu'à ce que l'organisation ait obtenu, par coercition, les déclarations qu'elle désirait. Aaron affirme aussi avoir connaissance de deux cas d'adeptes aux États-Unis qui ont avoué un meurtre, mais ces informations n'ont pas été signalées à la police. Il révèle aussi que, pendant son séjour aux États-Unis, ses supé- rieurs lui ont ordonné de supprimer des documents qui lieraient un membre du personnel de la Scientologie à un meurtre. Aaron dit que lui-même et d'autres membres ont ouvert les dossiers de célébrités scientologues pour y recueillir des informations susceptibles de servir comme levier pour forcer un engagement accru envers l'organisa- tion. Certains diraient que c'est du chantage. Sa déclaration livre en outre des détails sur les tentatives faites pour forcer une célébrité scientologue à recourir à l'avortement. Il dit que le jeune homme responsable de la grossesse de cette célébrité a été expulsé de l'organisation et coupé de tout contact avec ses parents, qui sont restés scientologues. Aaron affirme qu'il était tellement sous l'emprise des rapports d'autorité bizarres de l'organisation qu'il a été compli- ce de la décision d'ordonner une agression contre un adepte et qu'il a collaboré à une agression contre un autre adepte. Il dit avoir reçu l'ordre d'aider un scientologue qui fuyait les autorités et il avoue avoir ordonné qu'on jette un homme par-dessus bord du bateau de la Scientologie, le Freewinds. Il ignore si cet ordre a été exécuté. Aujourd'hui, Aaron n'est plus dans cette organisation, et il est prêt à coopérer aux enquêtes policières sur ces questions. Il est né dans cette secte, et il dit qu'il regrette le contrôle qu'elle a exercé sur lui et les choses qu'il a faites en conséquence. Je demande à mes collègues sénateurs: s'agit-il d'activités à caractère religieux selon vous ? Deuxième partie Sénateur Nicholas Xenophon: Je demande à mes collègues sénateurs: s'agit-il d'activités à caractère religieux selon vous? S'agit-il d'une organi- sation qui devrait bénéficier du soutien du contribuable australien, à coup d'exonérations fiscales, parce qu'elle se proclame une religion ? J'ai aussi reçu une correspondance de Carmel Underwood, une autre ex-membre et une autre victime de la Scien- tologie. Elle dit que lorsqu'elle travaillait pour l'organisation à Sydney, elle est tombée enceinte et a subi une pres- sion extrême pour avoir un avortement. Quand elle a refusé, on lui a imposé un programme disciplinaire. Carmel a aussi travaillé pour l'organisation au sein de sa direction de la planification financière, et elle dit que les demandes de paiement pour les avortements soumises par les dirigeants de l'organisation n'étaient jamais contestées, alors que toute autre demande de fonds faisait l'objet d'atermoiements et de disputes. Carmel dit qu'elle a aussi vu une jeune fille qui avait été abusée par son père subir une préparation sur ce qu'elle devait déclarer aux autorités responsables de l'enquête dans le but de garder le secret des crimes. Carmel affirme qu'elle a été agressée physiquement par un dirigeant de l'organisation lors d'une dispute. Elle dit que lorsqu'elle a enfin quitté l'organisation, des informations qu'elle avait confiées pendant les séances dites d'audition ont été utilisées par des membres pour la discréditer. Carmel dit qu'elle a décidé de parler parce qu'elle sait qu'il y a bien plus de victimes de la Scientologie, dont beaucoup sont encore prises dans l'étau de l'organisation et qui sont abusés physiquement, financièrement et mentalement. Le mari de Carmel, Tim, soutient les déclarations de sa femme et dit que le couple a enduré de graves difficultés financières à cause de leur implication dans l'organisation. Il dit qu'ils ont été forcés à payer plus de 100 000 dollars pour la promotion de l'organisation et pour des textes et des cours soi-disant religieux. Il est incroyable de penser que la Bible chrétienne est disponible gratuitement dans chacune des chambres d'hôtel du pays, tandis que les textes et les cours de Scientologie peuvent coûter aux adeptes toutes leurs économies et même des fortunes qu'ils n'ont pas et qu'ils se croient obligés d'emprunter. Une des lettres les plus désolantes que j'ai reçues, et elles le sont bien toutes, m'est parvenue de Paul Schofield. Il allègue qu'il y a eu dissimulation d'abus d'enfants de la part de l'organisation, et il avoue avoir participé à une opération visant à cacher les faits relatifs à la mort de deux de ses filles. Paul dit que sa fille aînée, Lauren, âgée de 14 mois, était gardée dans les locaux de l'organisation à Sydney, et qu'on l'a laissée se rendre d'elle-même aux escaliers, où elle est tombée. Elle est décédée à l'hôpital deux jours plus tard. Paul dit qu'il s'est senti sous pression de la part des directeurs scientologues afin qu'il ne demande pas d'enquête du coroner, pression à laquelle il a fini par céder. On lui a dit que, s'il cherchait à être indemnisé par la Scientologie, lui et sa femme seraient inadmissibles à tout autre service. Sa seconde fille, Kirsty, qui avait 2 ans et demi, est morte après avoir ingéré du chlorure de potassium, substance utilisée dans le soi-disant programme de purification opéré par l'organisation. Sous la direction des chefs sciento- logues, Paul dit qu'il s'est parjuré devant la police et pendant l'enquête du coroner afin de protéger l'organisation. C'est sous une pression incroyable qu'il a accepté de mentir, par peur d'être très sévèrement puni par la Scientologie s'il révélait la vérité. C'est une décision qu'il regrette encore aujourd'hui. J'ai reçu des déclarations de la part d'Anna et de Dean Detheridge, qui affirment avoir été assujettis à des abus physiques et mentaux durant leur adhésion à l'organisation. Anna écrit que l'organisation lui a ordonné de couper les ponts avec sa soeur parce que sa soeur est homosexuelle et donc, selon la Scientologie, dangereuse, pervertie et malsaine. Anna et Dean ont aussi livré des témoignages démontrant que des informations qu'eux-mêmes et d'autres personnes ont révélées à l'église ont été utilisées à des fins de chantage et de contrôle. Ils ont aussi fourni des informations supplémentaires sur les avortements forcés. Kevin Mackey m'a décrit en détail les 26 ans d'abus qu'il a vécus en Scientologie. Dans sa lettre, que j'ai déposée, il dit -- je cite: "Lorsqu'on débute en Scientologie, rien ne paraît bizarre ou extraterrestre ... en fait, la Scientologie est perçue par un débutant comme 'une bénédiction pour une âme troublée.'" Mais il poursuit ainsi: "Après que vous ayez mordu à l'hameçon et que vous êtes accro, la véritable Scientologie vous est dévoilée, très progressivement, au fil des années." Le conditionnement psychologique dont Kevin parle l'a finalement poussé, lui et sa femme, à verser pratiquement un million de dollars à l'organisation pour des produits et services. D'autres familles m'ont contacté, exprimant une grande inquiétude au sujet de leurs enfants qui sont encore sous l'emprise de l'organisation. Cependant, ils m'ont demandé de ne pas les identifier, de peur de ne plus jamais rien savoir de leurs enfants. Une autre victime de la Scientologie, Peta O'Brien, écrit que l'organisation l'a découragée de se faire soigner pour son cancer. Elle témoigne aussi qu'elle a été agressée et coupée de son fils alors qu'ils étaient tous deux membres de l'organisation. Ces allégations sont graves, et beaucoup de noms ont été supprimés dans les lettres que j'ai déposées au Sénat ce soir, mais ces noms n'ont pas été supprimés dans les copies que je fournis la police. Cette organisation doit faire l'objet d'une enquête. Ces victimes de la Scientologie se sont exprimées en prenant de grands risques personnels et je leur en rends hommage. Et je souhaite encourager les autres victimes de la Scientologie à s'exprimer, à contacter la police ou à contacter mon bureau, mais avant tout, à révéler la vérité. Je pense également que les activités de cette organisation devraient être scrutées par le Parlement, parce que les contribuables australiens, en réalité, soutiennent la Scientologie de par son exonération fiscale. Je m'adresse à tous les Australiens: quand vous remplirez votre déclaration d'impôt en juillet ou en août prochain, demandez-vous comment vous vous sentez en sachant que vous payez vos impôts tandis que cette organisation criminelle n'en paie pas? Souhaitez-vous que les exemptions d'impôts en Australie soutiennent une organisation qui force ses membres à subir des avortements? Voulez-vous soutenir une organisation qui pratique l'escroquerie, le chantage et la séquestration? Car si on se fie aux témoignages fournis par les victimes de la Scientologie, c'est probable- ment votre cas. Souhaitez-vous réellement favoriser financièrement une organisation qui transforme ses adeptes en victimes dans une quête de pouvoir et d'argent menée par la Scientologie? Voilà pourquoi je demande une enquête sénatoriale sur cette organisation et son exonération fiscale. La Scientologie a toujours prétendu que ceux qui critiquent son organisation s'attaquent à sa liberté de culte. Voilà une logique tordue, c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire. La liberté de culte ne signifie pas que les églises catholique ou anglicane n'ont pas été tenues responsables des crimes et abus commis par leurs prêtres, religieuses et représentants, bien qu'on ait tardé à sévir. En fin de compte, l'enjeu n'est pas la liberté de culte. En Australie, il n'y a aucune limite à ce que l'on peut croire. Mais il y'a quand même des limites à la façon dont on peut se comporter. Ça s'appelle la loi, et personne n'est au-dessus de la loi. |
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Broadcast date: November 23, 2009 Radio
Skidrow
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Church of Scientology accused of torture and forced abortions Sophie Tedmanson in Sydney
The Church of Scientology faces the prospect of a police investigation in Australia after being accused of torture and embezzlement and of forcing employees to have abortions. Nick Xenophon, an independent senator, presented letters to the Australian Parliament from seven former Scientologists which he said showed that the secretive church was a front for physical violence, intimidation and blackmail. “I am deeply concerned about this organisation and the devastating impact it can have on its followers,” he told the Australian Senate in Canberra. He called for a Senate inquiry. The State Crime Command of New South Wales police yesterday confirmed that Mr Xenophon had handed over the letters for investigation. Fed- eral police have also been contacted. Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister,said that many Australians had “real concerns” about Scientology. “I share some of those concerns,” he added. “We would like to proceed in a cautious and methodical way in examining those matters and then we’ll decide what, if further, parliamentary action is necessary.” Aaron Saxton, a member of the church in Australia and the US between 1989 and 1996, said in one of the letters that he had participated in the “forced confinement and torture” of others. Other letters described how individuals were pressured to hand over large sums of money to the church, leaving them in poverty. Carmel Underwood, a former executive director of the Sydney branch of the church, wrote that Scientology executives covered up a case of child molestation and pressured pregnant staff to abort their babies so they could keep working for the church. “There are many who are still suffering and being abused financially, physically and mentally,” she wrote. Kevin Mackey, 46, a farmer, wrote that the church sought cash donations from members for the “crimes” of drinking alcohol or watching pornography. “Scientology is not a religious organisation — it is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs,” Mr Xenophon said. “The letters received by me contain extensive allegations of crimes and abuses that are truly shocking. “These victims of Scientology claim it is an abusive, manipulative, violent and criminal organisation, and that criminality is condoned at the highest levels.” The Church of Scientology has dismissed the allegations as “an outrageous abuse of parliamentary privilege” but said that it will co-operate with police. “Senator Xenophon is obviously being pressured by disgruntled former members who use hate speech and distorted accounts of their experiences in the church,” it said. “They are about as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner.” Mr Xenophon is a maverick independent politician from South Australia. He was a compensation lawyer before he won a seat in the federal Parliament in the 2007 election on an anti-gambling, pro-consumer protection platform promoted by his “No Pokies” (slot machines) group. The Church of Scientology traces its origins to 1950 and a self-help book by the science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. It is officially recognised as a religion in Australia, where it has tax-free status. It claims 12 million members worldwide, including the Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Last month the Church of Scientology in France was fined €600,000 (£545,000) after being found guilty of cheating vulnerable members out of their life savings. The allegations Former followers, who are willing to be questioned by police over the allegations, reported crimes ranging from forced imprisonment, coerced abortions, embezzlement of church funds, physical violence, intimidation and blackmail. • Paul Schofield admitted to being part of a campaign to cover up the facts surrounding the death of his two daughters, including two and a half-year-old Kirsty, who died during a purification programme. • Aaron Saxton confined and tortured a follower and coerced females to have abortions, one who used a coat hanger for fear of punishment. He also has details of murder confessions from members in the US, information that was never passed on to police. • Carmel Underwood was put under "extreme pressure" to have an abortion, and witnessed a young sexually abused girl being coached on how to keep it secret. • Anna and Dean Detheridge, who were forced to reject a gay relative, provided evidence that personal information was used to blackmail and control them. • Kevin Mackey revealed how he handed over nearly a million dollars in exchange for services and products after he was conditioned by the sect. • Peta O'Brien was discouraged from seeking treatment for cancer, was cut off from her son and provided evidence of being assaulted. Alien beliefs • Founded in 1954 by the science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology describes itself as a religion that seeks spiritual enlightenment; it says that it has more than 3,000 churches in more than 133 countries • Celebrity members include Tom Cruise, below, John Travolta and Lisa Marie Presley • Full knowledge of Scientology's holy books is reserved for those who have completed a series of courses, at a cost estimated by anti-Scientology campaigners to be £190,000. There is no official confirmation to outsiders of what scientologists believe • According to popular culture, Scientology teaches that 75 million years ago the intergalactic tyrant Xenu brought millions of aliens to Earth. These aliens, called Thetans, cling to human bodies. Scientologists try to re-create the Thetans’ painful experiences in order to free themselves • Scientology members usually undergo personality tests and a form of counselling known as “auditing”. A counsellor or “auditor” locates the spiritual problems of the subject — known as the “preclear” — through questions and the use of an implement called an “e-meter”. Scientologists say that the sessions help members to reach levels on which they are “literally seeking immortality, which is priceless” Sources: Reuters, Times database |
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Former Scientologists urged to speak out
The Church of Scientology has always been veiled in secrecy and controversy (AAP: Dean Lewins) Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has urged people to come forward about what they may have experienced as members of the Church of Scientology, following his explosive allegations in Parliament last night. The South Australian Senator used parliamentary privilege to launch a scathing attack on the Church of Scientology and tabled seven letters from former members of the church that alleged extensive criminal activity, claims of blackmail and coerced abortions. He has now forwarded the letters to police and wants a Senate inquiry into the church's tax-exempt status. The Church of Scientology has always been veiled in secrecy and controversy since it was founded by science fiction author L Ron Hubbard in 1953 and has many high-profile members across the world such as actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Senator Xenophon says anyone who has concerns about their treatment at the hands of the church should speak up. "I think it's important that people who've had bad experiences with Scientology come forward, to tell the truth," he said. "It's important that there be a Senate inquiry into the Church of Scientology and that's why over the coming days I'll be discussing this with my colleagues on both sides of the Senate chamber so that there can be some consensus into the terms of reference." MPs cautious Senator Xenophon's claims have prompted some MPs to voice support for an inquiry, while others have been more cautious. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says they are "grave allegations" which need to be considered carefully. "Many people in Australia have real concerns," he said. "I share some of those concerns but let us proceed carefully and look carefully at the material which he has provided before we make a decision on further Parliamentary action." Opposition frontbencher Christopher Pyne says he has concerns about the church's view on mental health. Mr Pyne says the church contradicts important health advice for people with a mental illness. "The Church of Scientology appears to believe that psychiatry, psychology and so forth is voodoo medicine and I think that is very dangerous," he said. "I won't repeat Senator Xenophon's charges, that's a matter for him, but I certainly haven't got much truck with the Church of Scientology." Independent MP Tony Windsor says the church's tax-exempt status needs to be examined, but Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce would not commit to supporting an inquiry. "Some bloke who arrived in a space ship, something about Johnny Travolta and Tom Cruise and jumping on couches and all that sort of rubbish," he said. "I don't know - it's their religion but I don't think I'll be joining it." Scientologists hit back Church spokesman Cyrus Brooks has slammed the Senator's claims as an outrageous abuse of parliamentary privilege. "He's actually not responded to a single letter Scientologists have written in," he told AM. "Not just the church, but individual Scientologists were outraged by his statements months ago and he's marginalised Australian Scientologists by actually not responding to any single letter from them." He says the allegations have never been put to the church by the people who have written the letters. "We need to get the information ourselves from the Parliament because they have not been made to us," Mr Brooks said. "We've always been willing to cooperate with any authorities on any concerns that are brought up." |
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Australie: Le sénateur Nick Xenophon demande que l'exemption d'impôts de la secte soit revue, et rappelle que la scientologie est impliquée dans toute sorte de délits et crimes, tels séquestration, avortements imposés, escroquerie sur les fonds de l'église, violence physique, intimidation/harcèlement et chantage. Rapport officiel du sénat australien, voir scientologie page 73: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/latesthansard/shansard.pdf Church of Scientology a criminal organisation: Xenophon November 18, 2009 Xenophon attacks Scientology Independent Senator Nick Xenophon attacks Scientology as a 'criminal organisation'.
Senator Nick Xenophon has attacked the Church of Scientology. The South Australian parliamentarian said he had been contacted by a number of former Scientologists, after he questioned the organisation's tax exempt status in a recent television interview. "They have provided long and detailed letters to me about the workings of this organisation," he told the Senate. Senator Nick Xenophon has attacked the Church of Scientology. "These people rightly see themselves as victims of Scientology." Senator Xenophon said their correspondence implicated the organisation in a range of crimes, including forced imprisonment, coerced abortions, embezzlement of church funds, physical violence, intimidation and blackmail. "I am deeply concerned about this organisation and the devastating impact it can have on its followers," he said. Senator Xenophon said the Church of Scientology had been convicted of fraud in France and was facing similar charges in Belgium. A number of the organisation's former high ranking executives in the US had also recently spoken out against its leader, David Miscavige, saying they had seen him assaulting staff and urging others to do the same, he said. "What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality," Senator Xenophon said. "On the body of evidence, this is not happening by accident, it is happening by design. "Scientology is not a religious organisation, it is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs." Eight letters from former members of the organisation were tabled in Parliament. Paul David Schofield said his first daughter Lauren had died after she was allowed to wander one of the Church of Scientology's Sydney buildings and fell down some stairs. "My wife and I were actively discouraged from seeking compensation from the church," he wrote. "I was also encouraged by church executives to request no coronial inquiry into her death, something I stupidly agreed with at that time." Mr Schofield's second daughter Kirsty also died, in this case after ingesting potassium chloride at the family home - a substance he said was used widely in the organisation's "purification" programs. "I did not tell the truth either to the police or the court (to my shame) but omitted details which would have 'embarrassed' the church," he wrote. In another letter, Aaron Saxton said that as a member of the organisation, he participated in the "forced confinement and torture" of others. He wrote that Scientologists considered to be "underperforming" were placed on diets of beans and rice for up to two weeks at a time, and they were also not allowed to access medications or undergo procedures such as pap smears. In her letter to Senator Xenophon, Carmel Underwood said she knew of one instance where a Church of Scientology trainee counsellor's molestation of his step-daughter was covered up. While in another episode, Ms Underwood said the organisation interrogated her over three days in Sydney about her alleged "misdeeds". Senator Xenophon said many names had been erased from the letters he had tabled in Parliament. "But those names haven't been removed from copies I am providing to the police," he told the Senate. "This organisation must be investigated." AA |
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It is not only in Australia that Scientology is facing problems
By Peter Beaumont in London, Toni O'Loughlin in Sydney, and Paul Harris in New York The Observer, 22 November 2009
The exterior of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles in 2003. Photograph: Getty Images The security at the red-brick and glass-walled horseshoe of the John Joseph Moakley courthouse on Boston's waterfront was unusually tight. Anybody who was not a member of the city's bar association was swept with a search wand. Photo IDs were checked. Mobile phones were taken from guests, who included the Hollywood star Tom Cruise. The occasion was a memorial service for Scientology's top legal adviser for a quarter of a century, Earle Cooley. The controversial head of Scientology worldwide, David Miscavige, delivered the eulogy, thanking his late friend for his contribution to the neo-religion during his career, much of which was spent pursuing journalists and former members who spoke out against it. Miscavige may since have wondered privately what Cooley would have made of the events of last week. Scientology, founded in 1953 by the late science fiction pulp novelist, serial fantasist and inveterate self-publicist L Ron Hubbard, is under fire again across the globe, following years of struggle to be recognised – with some success – as a legitimate church. The church has just been denounced in the strongest possible terms in the Australian parliament. Prime minister Kevin Rudd has expressed his concern over allegations of "a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality" and is contemplating a parliamentary inquiry. The organisation is under police investigation and yesterday angry ex-Scientologists, spurred on by the claims, converged on its Australian headquarters calling for its tax-exempt status to be revoked. And it is not only in Australia that Scientology is facing problems. A new book in America – Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of the Church of Scientology – by Marc Headley, an employee of the church's Los Angeles headquarters for 15 years, details – as others have – allegations of systematic abuse and bizarre episodes, such as the three weeks Headley claims he spent under instruction from Cruise in how to move bottles and other objects by concentrating on them. Headley's book follows a year in which Scientology has been plagued by unwelcome revelations from high-profile defectors and fresh media investigation into its practices. Last month the church narrowly avoided being banned in France after being prosecuted for fraud, following claims that four leaders – all given suspended jail sentences – had preyed financially on several followers in the 1990s. In Belgium, too, Scientology is embroiled in a long criminal investigation. Perhaps most embarrassing for an organisation that prides itself on its wealthy Hollywood followers, Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis, an adherent of 30 years, abandoned Scientology in October, accusing it of homophobia. That is not all. Some of the worst damage done to Scientology in the past two years appears to have been self-inflicted. Earlier this year the official spokesman in the US, Tommy Davis, son of the actress Anne Archer, stormed out of an ABC TV interview with Martin Bashir when Bashir had the temerity to ask about one of its central beliefs – relating to an evil intergalactic warlord named Xenu. More ridicule was invited, unwittingly, by Cruise, the church's most high-profile member, in a leaked video produced for the organisation last year that went viral on the internet. It showed a rambling Cruise laughing inexplicably while saying that Scientologists were uniquely equipped with the knowledge necessary to cure most of the world's ills, including crime, drugs, mental health problems and violence. A religion to some, a business certainly, and a cult to many, whose innermost cadres wear pseudo naval uniforms, Scientology's religious tenets are a mixture of therapy-style self-improvement steps – at least at first – mixed with a weird space-opera metaphysics, which is revealed only to its highest acolytes. The church has frequently been accused of breaking up families and preying on the vulnerable. The history of Scientology and its critics has been a story played out in the courts in interminable proceedings that supported Cooley's very lucrative career, underwritten by a very lucrative religious practice in which followers pay large sums of money to progress through a series of training courses called "auditing". In a quote attributed in the US courts to the late Hubbard himself, it is made clear that the court cases serve a useful purpose, even when they are lost. According to Hubbard, "law can be used very easily to harass... If possible, of course, ruin… entirely." Scientology has attempted to sue newspapers, including the Washington Post. Time magazine beat off a court claim for $400m after describing the church on its cover as "the Cult of Greed". It has pursued authors, those who have campaigned against it, defectors and rivals. It has also made unsuccessful claims that details of its most secret practices should be regarded as both copyright and a trade secret. The repeated attempts to use the courts to silence critics have been criticised in the judgments that have been upheld against Scientology, including one in 1996 that described its "documented history of vexatious behaviour" and abuse of "the [US] federal court system by using it, inter alia, to destroy their opponents, rather than to resolve an actual dispute over trademark law or any other legal matter". So when Nick Xenophon stood up last week in the Australian parliament he was the latest critic in a long line. Xenophon made a carefully calculated decision – to use the protection of parliamentary privilege to denounce an organisation that he claims "abuses its followers, viciously targets its critics and seems largely driven by paranoia". Xenophon's aim was simple: to challenge the tax-exempt status of Scientology as a religion. If the allegations Xenophon detailed – including the claims by former high-ranking members that David Miscavige physically assaulted senior Scientologists – were familiar ones to critics of the movement, Xenophon's speech brought to the widest audience possible a synthesis of the recent and not so recent claims against the leadership of Scientology, allegations picked up worldwide within minutes of him speaking. He described claims of "false imprisonment, coerced abortions, embezzlement of church funds, physical violence, blackmail and the widespread deliberate abuse of information obtained by the organisation". At the centre of Xenophon's long, impassioned speech were the allegations of Aaron Saxton, who was "born" into Scientology and "rose to a position of influence in Sydney and the United States". According to Xenophon, Saxton's abuse started as a child when his mother was coerced into signing over guardianship of him to the organisation and he was made a security guard at the age of 16. "In 1991 Aaron says he was sent to Scientology headquarters in Florida where he was involved in… putting five individuals under house arrest" and "ordered by superiors to remove documents that would link a Scientology staff member to murder". "Aaron says women who fell pregnant were taken to offices and bullied to have an abortion. If they refused, they faced demotion and hard labour… Aaron says one staff member used a coat-hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment. He says she was released from the organisation and the files were destroyed." Saxton also "ordered more than 30 people to be sent to Scientology's work camps, where they were forced to undertake hard labour", Xenophon said. He said another former Scientologist, Carmel Underwood, who worked as a financial officer in the organisation and claims to have been assaulted by another member, "witnessed a young girl who had been molested by her father being coached as to what she should say to investigating authorities in order to keep the crimes secret". In a letter described by Xenophon as "one of the saddest correspondences I have received", a father, Paul Schofield, admits to being part of a cover-up of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of his two daughters. The Church of Scientology in Australia's response last week was to accuse Xenophon of abusing parliamentary privilege and adding that the allegations were "unquestionably false". "This was not free speech. It was abuse and slander protected by the forms of our parliament," spokesman Cyrus Brooks said in a statement. It did not, however, reply to a series of written questions from the Observer about the cases detailed. But if something has changed in the past few years, it has been the emergence of an increasingly empowered and vocal global opposition to the Scientologists. The development has been fuelled in part by the internet's Anonymous movement – which posted the Tom Cruise video to YouTube last year – and has been behind a series of denial-of-service attacks on Scientology websites, protests and prank calls since the Scientologists had it removed it from the site, inevitably claiming copyright infringement. The Australian intervention by Xenophon was part of a wider and growing backlash against one of the world's most controversial movements. If there has been a catalyst for many of the Scientologists' most recent problems it has been provided by a newspaper in Tampa, Florida – the St Petersburg Times – which covers the area including the organisation's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater. The paper ran an investigative series featuring interviews with former members of the church's leadership. These included Marty Rathbun and Mike Rinder, two of the highest-ranking executives to leave Scientology. According to the two men's accounts – denounced as "lies" by Miscavige and Tommy Davis – Miscavige routinely assaulted his lieutenants, including Rinder, 50 times. In one article, citing the testimony of four former members, the newspaper described Miscavige administering a vicious beating to another senior church figure, Tom De Vocht. The men described a complex system of internal justice, enforced by security checks and the threat of isolation as a so-called "suppressive person" or SP. In the interviews the men admitted using violence against other members of the church, often, they claimed, at the behest of Miscavige, also alleging that the church used private information gathered on its members to bully them and force them to do its bidding. At least some of the recent allegations will be familiar to Jason Beghe, the American actor. Last year he became the first of its celebrity followers – for whom the church maintains a "Celebrity Centre" – to break with it, after giving Scientology more than $1m in donations over 12 years. These days Beghe prefers to warn that the church is "destructive and a rip-off". He claims that since his renunciation of Scientology he has been pursued to seminars in Europe – held to speak of its dangers – by private investigators employed by Scientology and "disconnected" from former friends who remain within it. The decision of Beghe and Haggis to quit Scientology appears to have caused the movement its greatest recent PR difficulties, not least because of its dependence on Hollywood figures as both a source of revenue for its most expensive courses and an advertisement for the religion. The involvement of such high-profile figures as Haggis, Cruise and John Travolta has acted as a reassurance for potential recruits against the allegations of its critics. And while Haggis quit the church over its attitude to gay marriage, his lengthy leaked letter of repudiation of Scientology, written to Davis, included another complaint: that he had lied on television about a key Scientology practice. Haggis said he had been stunned to see a CNN clip of Davis denying that the church practises a policy of "disconnection" by encouraging members to cut ties with non-members who may disapprove of their beliefs. "I was shocked," wrote Haggis. "We all know this policy exists. I didn't have to search for verification – I didn't have to look any further than my own home." He then detailed how his wife was ordered by the church to disconnect from her parents because they were themselves ex-members. His wife followed the orders and did not speak to her parents for a year and a half. "That's not ancient history, Tommy. It was a year ago… To see you lie so easily, I am afraid I had to ask myself: what else are you lying about ?" The answer to that question may now be sought within the context of an Australian parliamentary inquiry. Notoriously litigious and undoubtedly secretive, Scientology is under the microscope again. After a bad year for Cruise's church, things could be about to become a whole lot worse. History of scientology Founded by L Ron Hubbard (1911-1986), a science-fiction novelist who turned to pulp writing after a wartime military career marked by a number of disgraces. It was while writing for Astounding Science Fiction in 1949 that he published his first article on the subject of dianetics, which would later become Scientology. It was described by one critic as "a lunatic revision of Freudian psychology". His book Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health was published in 1950. Attempts to set up dianetics as a therapeutic practice collapsed. 1952 Having failed to present dianetics as an empirically supported scientific system, Hubbard founded a religion called Scientology, which he claimed was the result of years of research. Using "e-meters" to "measure" the mind, he claimed it could be "cleared" by a process of "auditing". At this point based in England, he ran into problems with the authorities. He founded the Sea Organisation, or the Sea Org, which would become the movement's central group. 1970 Scientology establishes its celebrity centre in Los Angeles, aiming to attract Hollywood high flyers. 1977 Scientology runs into trouble in the US, this time for domestic espionage against the federal government, for which Hubbard's wife and a dozen other officials were convicted of conspiracy. 1986 Hubbard dies of a stroke in California. 1993 Scientology is declared tax-exempt as a church in the US, ending a 40-year battle. 1999 Refused tax-exempt status by the UK charity commission, which rules it is not a religion. However, in the years that follow it is recognised as a religion in a number of countries, including Sweden, New Zealand and Portugal. 2006 A repeat of a South Park episode that spoofs Tom Cruise and Scientology is pulled from the air. 2009 The church is found guilty of fraud in France. Screenwriter Paul Haggis splits with Scientology amid accusations of homophobia. Tom Cruise and John Travolta are still members of the Church of Scientology.
Index: La scientologie en Australie |
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LA SCIENTOLOGIE DANS LES MÉDIAS
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Un must: "Ron Hubbard, le gourou démasqué" Ce livre de Russell Miller révèle la face cachée de la scientologie. On y découvre un Ron Hubbard, malade, mythomane et poursuivi par la justice. Il est disponible en format pdf ou html sur notre site. Nous avons également publié une version résumée.
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