|
DOJ Launches Initiative to Protect Religious Freedom:
The First Freedom Project |
"In this Land of equal liberty it is our boast, that a man's religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest Offices that are known in the United States."
--George Washington
Religious liberty is often referred to as the "First Freedom" because the
Framers placed it first in the Bill of Rights. Yet it is not merely first in
order: it is a fundamental freedom on which so many of our other freedoms rest.
On February 20, 2007, the Department of Justice launched a new
initiative to protect religious liberty: The First
Freedom Project.
As detailed in a report issued at the same time as the announcement, Report
on Enforcement of Laws Protecting Religious Freedom: Fiscal Years 2001-2006,
the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice enforces a wide range of
laws protecting religious liberty: laws barring discrimination based on
religion in employment, public education, housing, credit, and access to public
facilities and public accommodations; laws barring zoning authorities from
discriminating against houses of worship and religious schools; laws protecting
the religious rights of institutionalized persons; and criminal statutes such
as the Church Arson Prevention Act making it a federal crime to attack persons
or institutions based on their religion, or otherwise interfere with religious
exercise.
As detailed in the report, from 2001 to 2006 the Department
of Justice dramatically increased enforcement of these laws. But there is more
work to be done. The First Freedom Project includes a number of facets to
ensure that this precious right, guaranteed by our laws and Constitution, is
recognized and protected:
-
A commitment to continued expansion of enforcement of civil rights statutes
protecting religious liberty.
-
Creation of a Department-wide Task Force on Religious Liberty, chaired by the
Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, to review DOJ policies
impacting religious liberty, coordinate religious liberty cases, and improve
outreach to stakeholder communities.
-
Initiation of a series of regional seminars to be held around
the country to educate religious, civil rights, and community leaders,
attorneys, government officials, and other interested citizens about the laws
protecting religious freedom enforced by the Department of Justice and how to
file complaints.
-
Increased outreach to religious organizations, civil rights organizations, and
other groups and individuals concerned with religious liberty issues through
meetings, speaking engagements, and distribution of informational
literature.
For more information about the First Freedom Project, you may contact the
Special Counsel for Religious Discrimination, Eric W. Treene, at (202) 353-8622
or send an email to FirstFreedom@usdoj.gov.
|
|
|