The Law, Rights, and Religion Project
Formerly The Public Rights/Private Conscience Project
The Law, Rights, and Religion Project, formerly the Public Rights/Private Conscience Project, is a law and policy think tank based at Columbia Law School that promotes social justice, freedom of religion, and religious plurality. We develop strategic thought leadership on the complex ways in which religious liberty rights interact with other fundamental rights.
Our mission is to ensure that laws and policies reflect the understanding that the right to free exercise of religion protects all religious beliefs and communities, including non-believers; requires respect for religious plurality and equality principles; and must be balanced against other liberty and equality rights where they are in conflict. Our work takes the form of legal research and scholarship, public policy interventions, advocacy support, and academic and media publications.
About Us
Staff
Meet the Law, Rights, and Religion Project Staff, here
Policy Papers, Amicus Briefs, and Testimony
The Racial Justice Program
Learn about our Racial Justice Program and its work, here
Contact Us
Contact information for the Law, Rights, and Religion Project, here
Recent News
Columbia Law Scholars respond to new HHS Rule, "Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Health Care"
The Law, Rights, and Religion Project issued a statement in response to President Trump's announcement of a new Department of Health and Human Services Rule, "Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Health Care" RIN 0945-AA10. May 2, 2019.
Law Professors File Amicus Brief on Religious Liberty Rights in Appeal from Criminal Conviction of AZ Immigrants' Rights Activists
Professor Katherine Franke filed an amicus brief on behalf of Law Professors in the case of USA v. Hoffman, et al. U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, 4:19-cr-00693-RM.
Professor Katherine Franke joins amicus brief in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and State of New Jersey v. Trump
Professor Katherine Franke, Faculty Director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project at Columbia Law School, joined an amicus brief in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and State of New Jersey v. Trump, Case No. 17-3752 in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on March 25, 2019.