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The Expert Committee on Legislation and Implementation |
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Saturday, 12 July 2008 |
Expert Committee on Legislation and Implementation
The Expert Committee on Legislation and Implementation of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is a consultative body which reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations to new or amended legislation affecting freedom of religion and belief, and assists in the implementation of such laws.
Legislative Review
The Committee reviews legislation in accordance with international standards and regional commitments. This can take the form of formal reviews of proposed legislation, as well as less formal consultations between Committee members and those working on legislation in various countries.
The Committee reviews draft legislation for potential violations of internationally recognized fundamental rights. The Committee investigates matters relating to legal, constitutional and parliamentary action related to freedom of religion and belief and the application of rules and regulations regarding such issues prescribed by a Government.
Implementation
The basic laws on freedom of religion in many states are often good. However, implementation remains a major barrier to true and effective freedom of religion and belief.
The Committee provides executive and judicial branches of government with assistance, guidelines, and training in the implementation of legislation protecting freedom of religion and belief. Such assistance includes but is not limited to regulations for implementation, mechanisms and institution building to protect fundamental rights.
Membership
The Expert Committee on Legislation and Implementation of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is composed of legislators, academics, legal experts, and others with broad and varied backgrounds and experiences applicable to the legislative dimensions of fundamental rights. These world-renowned experts volunteer to advance the legislative and executive protection of fundamental rights. The Committee meets formally once a year in conjunction with the Interparliamentary Conference on Human Rights and Religious Freedom.
Current members of the Expert Committee on Legislation and Implementation include:
William C. Walsh, Chair – Partner, Bisceglie and Walsh;
Ringolds Balodis – Head of the Constitutional Law Department, Faculty of Law, University of Latvia;
Derek Davis – Dean, College of Humanities, Dean, Graduate Programs and Research, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor;
Thomas Farr – Visiting Associate Professor of Religion and World Affairs, and Senior Fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Georgetown University; Founding Director, Office of International Religious Freedom, United States Department of State (ret.);
Bruce Fein – Principal, The Lichfield Group;
Howard M. Friedman – Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Toledo;
Kathryn Cameron Porter – Founder and President, Leadership Council for Human Rights;
Mitchell Tyner – former General Counsel, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
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