MultiVu Digital Center Feed: Secretary Clinton Holds a Special Press Briefing
on the Release of the 2009 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom

    


    DATELINE CITY:  October 26, Washington, D.C.

    FORMAT:  (3) Soundbites (1) B roll .

    
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<p>STORY SUMMARY: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton comments On The Release of the 2009 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom.</p>
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<p>RESOURCES:   Video, hard copy requests, contact information and more available at <a href="http://thedigitalcenter.com/projects/1129-secretary-clinton-holds-a-special-pres">http://thedigitalcenter.com/projects/1129-secretary-clinton-holds-a-special-pres</a> s-briefing-on-the-release-of-the-2009-annual-report-on-international-religious-f reedom</p>
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    SOUNDBITES:

    TRT:2:40

    
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<p>Clip (1)   Secretary Clinton IN: "The right to profess, practice, and promote one's religious beliefs is a founding principle of our nation.  In fact, many of our earliest settlers came because they wanted the freedom to practice their own religion without a state interfering or oppressing that practice.  It is the first liberty mentioned in our Bill of Rights, and it is a freedom guaranteed to all people in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.</p>
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<p>I want to underscore that, because this is not just an American value.  This was agreed to be a universal value.  Religious freedom provides a cornerstone for every healthy society.  It empowers faith-based service.  It fosters tolerance and respect among different communities.  And it allows nations that uphold it to become more stable, secure and prosperous.  As <person>President Obama</person> said in <location>Cairo</location>, freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.  These facts underlie our commitment to the cause of religious freedom.  That's why we make the issue of religious freedom a priority in our diplomacy, and this annual report is the centerpiece of our efforts. "OUT (1:24)</p>
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<p>Clip (2)  Secretary Clinton IN: The President has emphasized that faith should bring us together, and this year's report has a special focus on efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and tolerance.  We commend, for example, the <location>Philippines</location> leadership in the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace at the United Nations.  We commend Jordan's role in initiating the common word dialogue and many other international and domestic initiatives.  The <location>United States</location> is also expanding programs that work to bridge the divide between religious groups.  These important efforts build on the shared values and common concerns of faith communities to sow the seeds of lasting peace. " OUT (:44)</p>
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<p>Clip (3) Secretary Clinton IN: "So it is our hope that the International Religious Freedom Report will encourage existing religious freedom movements around the world and promote dialogue among governments and within societies on how best to accommodate religious communities and protect each individual's right to believe or not believe, as that individual sees fit. "   OUT (:23)</p>
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    Clip (4) B Roll Secretary Clinton Walkout (:07)

    VIDEO PROVIDED BY:  U.S. Department of State

    
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    Media Contact:
    Ken Richards, Producer
    202-647-5162
    [email protected]


    FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION OR HARD COPY, PLEASE E-MAIL:
[email protected]

    /PRNewswire -- Oct. 26/

    

For further information: Video: http://thedigitalcenter.com/projects/1129-secretary-clinton-holds-a-special-press-briefing-on-the-release-of-the-2009-annual-report-on-international-religious-freedom