Civil liberties groups have raised predictable warnings about introducing religion into government services.

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For now, workers who are bullied based on their race, gender, nationality, or religion may sue under applicable Federal or State civil rights laws.

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Alireza Miryusefi, spokesman for Iran's mission to the United Nations, said that while the Baha'i Faith was not recognized as an official religion in Iran, its adherents had full civil rights.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The regulations allowed religious premises to apply for a permit to perform civil partnerships, but only where the governing body of that religion had agreed.

BBC: How the Houses stand

Last November, school authorities in Riverside County, California, backed down over plans to post the Ten Commandments in schools, after a civil rights organisation began legal action claiming that the display represented the promotion of religion by the government.

BBC: Ten commandments 'advert' ban remains

It allows each religion to decide whether to acknowledge same-sex marriage, but extends the option of civil marriage to any two individuals.

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