State Department Unveils Format and Interface Upgrades for 2011 International Religious Freedom Reports

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
July 30, 2012


Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has transmitted the 2011 International Religious Freedom Report to Congress and released it to the public. This report is a valuable tool for interested citizens, students, researchers, nongovernmental organizations, and governments. The report focuses special attention on key trends such as the impact of political and demographic transitions on religious minorities; the effects of conflict on religious freedom; and the rising tide of anti-Semitism. This year, the Department modernized both the format of the reports and the online user interface.

In keeping with the Secretary’s 21st Century Statecraft Initiative, the 2011 International Religious Freedom Report was redesigned to be more accessible to a broader spectrum of readers. We developed a streamlined format, which now includes a country-specific executive summary and fewer, but clearly illustrative examples of the types of religious freedom problems reported in that country in 2011.

The format of the 2011 International Religious Freedom Report is also easier to read online. The redesigned reports contain clearly marked headings and a table of contents. They can also be shared via social media. Users can now research topics across countries using the Build a Report tool.

To view the new 2011 International Religious Freedom Report visit www.HumanRights.gov (or directly, at //2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm). Follow us on Twitter and join the conversation at #IRF11.



PRN: 2012/1238