IIB

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. J. RES. 48

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 6, 2000

Referred to the Committee on International Relations

JOINT RESOLUTION

Calling upon the President to issue a proclamation

recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.

Whereas August 1, 2000, is the 25th anniversary of the

Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation

in Europe (CSCE), renamed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in January 1995

(in this joint resolution referred to as the ‘‘Helsinki Final

Act’’);

Whereas the Helsinki Final Act, for the first time in the history of international agreements, accorded human rights

the status of a fundamental principle in regulating international relations;

Whereas during the Communist era, members of nongovernmental organizations, such as the Helsinki Monitoring

Groups in Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Georgia, and Armenia and similar groups in Czechoslovakia and Poland,

sacrificed their personal freedom and even their lives in
2

SJ 48 RFH

their courageous and vocal support for the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act;

Whereas the United States 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;

Whereas in the 1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe, the

participating states declared, ‘‘Human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all human beings,

are inalienable and are guaranteed by law. Their protection and promotion is the first responsibility of government’’;

Whereas in the 1991 Document of the Moscow Meeting of

the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE,

the participating states ‘‘categorically and irrevocably

declare[d] that the commitments undertaken in the field

of the human dimension of the CSCE are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States

and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of

the State concerned’’;

Whereas in the 1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe, the

participating states committed themselves ‘‘to build, consolidate and strengthen democracy as the only system of

government of our nations’’;

Whereas the 1999 Istanbul Charter for European Security

and Istanbul Summit Declaration note the particular

challenges of ending violence against women and children

as well as sexual exploitation and all forms of trafficking

in human beings, strengthening efforts to combat corruption, eradicating torture, reinforcing efforts to end dis-
3

SJ 48 RFH

crimination against Roma and Sinti, and promoting democracy and respect for human rights in Serbia;

Whereas the main challenge facing the participating states

remains the implementation of the principles and commitments contained in the Helsinki Final Act and other

OSCE documents adopted on the basis of consensus;

Whereas the participating states have recognized that economic liberty, social justice, and environmental responsibility are indispensable for prosperity;

Whereas the participating states have committed themselves

to promote economic reforms through enhanced transparency for economic activity with the aim of advancing

the principles of market economies;

Whereas the participating states have stressed the importance of respect for the rule of law and of vigorous efforts to fight organized crime and corruption, which constitute a great threat to economic reform and prosperity;

Whereas OSCE has expanded the scope and substance of its

efforts, undertaking a variety of preventive diplomacy initiatives designed to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict

within and among the participating states;

Whereas the politico-military aspects of security remain vital

to the interests of the participating states and constitute

a core element of OSCE’s concept of comprehensive security;

Whereas the OSCE has played an increasingly active role in

civilian police-related activities, including training, as an

integral part of OSCE’s efforts in conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation; and
4

SJ 48 RFH

Whereas the participating states bear primary responsibility

for raising violations of the Helsinki Final Act and other

OSCE documents: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That Congress calls upon the President to—

4 (1) issue a proclamation—

5 (A) recognizing the 25th anniversary of the

6 signing of the Final Act of the Conference on

7 Security and Cooperation in Europe;

8 (B) reasserting the commitment of the

9 United States to full implementation of the

10 Helsinki Final Act;

11 (C) urging all signatory states to abide by

12 their obligations under the Helsinki Final Act;

13 and

14 (D) encouraging the people of the United

15 States to join the President and the Congress

16 in observance of this anniversary with appro17 priate programs, ceremonies, and activities; and

18 (2) convey to all signatory states of the Hel19 sinki Final Act that respect for human rights and

20 fundamental freedoms, democratic principles, eco21 nomic liberty, and the implementation of related

22 commitments continue to be vital elements in pro23 moting a new era of democracy, peace, and unity in
5

SJ 48 RFH

1 the region covered by the Organization for Security

2 and Cooperation in Europe.

Passed the Senate July 27, 2000.

Attest: GARY SISCO,

Secretary.