Civil Rights - US Department of State

Civil Rights


Mike Schneider, right, co-founder of The Loop Pizza Grill, sits with company chaplains Becci Curtis and Kent Gilbert. (© AP Images)

Religion in the Workplace Is Diversity Issue for U.S. Companies

American companies are looking for ways to deal with a diversity issue they increasingly face: the need to accommodate workers’ various religious beliefs and practices. “A lot of companies haven’t figured out what to do, but they know they need to do something,” says David Miller, executive director of Yale University’s Center for Faith and Culture. Miller says there is “a huge appetite” in corporate America for guidance on handling religious diversity issues. (complete text)

Proposed U.S. Shield Law for Reporters Gets Favorable Reviews

The U.S. Congress is considering what would be the nation’s first federal “shield” law to protect journalists from being forced to reveal confidential news sources. USINFO talks to respected authorities on both sides of the issue about the potential benefits and drawbacks of the bill now making its way through the U.S. Congress. (complete text)

Opposing Viewpoints Enjoy Free Expression in the United States

The bitterest opponents of U.S. foreign policy may voice opinions freely to audiences in the United States, underscoring a deep respect in the country for the principles of free speech and a free press. While many Americans may disagree with or even revile the views of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he spoke freely at various venues during his September visit to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. “It’s a very positive thing that we have a free press and we have venues like universities that can provide opportunities for him to speak and to engage,” Paula Schriefer, advocacy director for the nongovernmental group Freedom House, tells USINFO. (complete text)

Human Rights Defenders Focus of July 18-20 Conference

Defending human rights defenders will be the focus of a July 18-20 conference that will address child labor, migrant workers, corporate social responsibility, and racial, religious and gender discrimination. “The conference will focus on ways to ensure the effectiveness of our work and its relationship to other U.S. foreign policy objectives, such as the global war on terrorism, peace and stability, and trade initiatives,” according to the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, which will host the conference. (complete text)

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