WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Commission on Civil Rights views as positive the decision by the U. S. Department of Defense to revise its Instruction on the Accommodation of Religious Practices Within the Military Services.
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By majority vote, the Commission issued a letter on December 9, 2013 to the Defense Department expressing concern over the possible deleterious effect of restrictive regulations on the religious rights and participation of Sikhs and other affected religious group members who wish to serve in the defense of the country.
Commission Chairman Martin R. Castro stated, "The change in policy is an important step in the right direction to better accommodate the civil and religious rights of all who serve or want to serve in our armed forces, and brings uniformity to the various service branches. However, we must wait and see whether the revised policy as it is applied addresses the Commission's concerns about the possible unnecessary exclusion of Sikh Americans and Americans of other religious faiths from military service based on their religious beliefs as manifested in their dress and grooming. The Commission is proud to have contributed its views to this important debate on the issue."
Contact:
Lenore Ostrowsky
Acting Chief, Public Affairs Unit
(202) 376-8591
SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
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