YOUR ESSAY IS TO INCLUDE:

Identifies the focus of your presentation.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Attracts the reader's attention;

Clearly states a thesis - the main point that you will make; and

Briefly outlines the other points that you will make.

BODY

Explains and describes one by one your points on the topic using:

1. Specific references to the International Religious Freedom Act and to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
   
2. Specific examples from U.S. history and law; and
   
3. Specific examples illustrating why religious freedom should or should not matter to you.
   

CONCLUSION
Sums up your research and reviews your main points without restating them exactly. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY OR WORKS CITED
In support of your views, cites your references and validates your research.  (Refer to Guidelines for more details.)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

When Eleanor Roosevelt presented the Universal Declaration of Human Right (UDHR) to the United Nations, she observed in her speech: “We stand today at the threshold of a great event both in the life of the United Nations and in the life of mankind. This Universal Declaration of Human Rights may well become the international Magna Carta of all men everywhere. We hope its proclamation by the General Assembly will be an event comparable to the proclamation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man by the French people in 1789, the adoption of the Bill of Rights by the people of the United States, and the adoption of comparable declarations at different times in other countries.”

Compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, however, was a strictly voluntary matter, and it has always been difficult to enforce.

On October 10, 1998, President Bill Clinton signed into law the International Religious Freedom Act after it had been unanimously passed by both the House and the Senate.  The law makes reference to the United States historic protection of the right to religious freedom as well as to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a number of other international treaties and instruments.  The law requires the United States to “promote” international religious freedom and to issue an annual report about religious freedom in all countries except the United States.  The law established an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom in the State Department and a quasi-independent United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.  Both of these arms were created to implement this law.

The law has been criticized for a number of reasons, however.  It is often incorrectly suggested that the law was to appease Evangelical Christians who wanted only to advance Christianity.  But the law, in fact, was a response to an increase in religious persecution worldwide.  The law has also been criticized for elevating religious freedom while seemingly ignoring the international language of “freedom of religion and belief.”  Some critics further argue that the law elevates the United States to policeman to the world, while the United States has no obligation to police itself.  Even amongst the supporters and drafters of the law, there is division as to whether the primary intent of the law is to promote religious freedom or, instead, to punish violators.