Congressional resolutions recognize 25th anniversary of Helsinki Accords

by Ben Anderson

WASHINGTON - Joint resolutions were introduced on June 8 in the United States Congress to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which has played a central role in advancing human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) Chairman Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.) introduced the House version (H.J. Res. 100), while Co-Chairman Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) introduced the Senate version (S.J. Res. 48). The remaining 16 congressional commissioners are original co-sponsors of the resolutions.

August 1 marks the 25th anniversary of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, renamed in January 1995 as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

In introducing the resolution in the House of Representatives, Chairman Smith, who has served on the Helsinki Commission since 1983, lauded the organization for its efforts to improve security and human rights conditions.

"The standards of Helsinki, which served as a valuable lever in pressing human rights issues, also provided encouragement and sustenance to courageous individuals who dared to challenge repressive Communist regimes," Rep. Smith said.

Sen. Campbell, appointed co-chairman of the commission in 1999, said the Helsinki Final Act, signed by President Gerald Ford in 1975, has advanced democracy, human rights and the rule of law within a framework covering the security, economic and human dimensions. "In short, the Helsinki process helped make it possible for the people of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union to regain their freedom and independence," Sen. Campbell said.

"The Helsinki process is rightly credited with playing a contributing role in bringing down the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain, and in 1991 the Soviet Union," Sen. Campbell added.

The identical resolutions request the president to issue a proclamation commemorating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, reasserting the U.S. commitment to full implementation of the Helsinki Final Act, and urging all signatory countries to abide by their obligations under the Helsinki Final Act.

"In the 25 years since this historic process was initiated in Helsinki, there have been many successes. The task is still far from complete, and we must continue to do our part in championing the values that Helsinki espouses. There is still work to be done," Rep. Smith said.

Co-Chairman Sen. Campbell echoed Chairman Smith's concern: "Unfortunately, serious human rights abuses continue in all too many OSCE countries. The main challenge facing the participating states of the OSCE remains the implementation of the commitments contained in the Helsinki Final Act and other OSCE documents."

The OSCE is engaged in standard-setting in fields such as military security, economic and environmental cooperation, and human rights and humanitarian concerns. In addition, the OSCE undertakes a variety of diplomatic initiatives designed to prevent, manage and resolve conflict within and among the participating states.

Membership in the organization has expanded to 55 countries from the original 35 signatory states (with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia having been suspended since 1992).

The U.S. Congress contributed to advancing the aims of the Helsinki Final Act by creating the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to monitor and encourage compliance with provisions of the Helsinki Final Act.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 18, 2000, No. 25, Vol. LXVIII

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