A joint resolution to designate August 1, 1983, as "Helsinki Human Rights Day".
PL 98-58 (S.J.Res.96), enacted 07/25/1983

97 STAT. 294 
PUBLIC LAW 98-58—JULY 25, 1983 
Public Law 98-58 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
July 25, 1983 
^o designate August 1,1983, as "Helsinki Human Rights Day". 
[S.J. Res. 96] 
Whereas August 1, 1983, will be the eighth anniversary of the 
signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooper-
ation in Europe (hereafter in this preamble referred to as the 
"Helsinki accords"); 
Whereas the Helsinki accords express the desire of the participating 
states to "respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, in-
cluding the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, for 
all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion"; 
Whereas the Helsinki accords also express the commitment of the 
participating states to "facilitate freer movement and contacts, 
individually and collectively, whether privately or officially, 
among persons, institutions, and organizations of the participat-
ing states, and to contribute to the solution of the humanitarian 
problems that arise in that connection"; 
Whereas the Helsinki accords specify that the piirticipating states 
will "deal in a positive and humanitarian spirit with the applica-
tions of persons who wish to be reunited with members of their 
family" and will "deal with applications in this field as expedi-
tiously as possible"; 
Whereas the Helsinki accords also state that the participating states 
will facilitate travel by citizens of such states for both personal 
and professional reasons and that for this purpose such states will 
simplify exit and entry procedures; 
Whereas the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 
in agreeing to the Helsinki accords, has acknowledged an adher-
ence to the principles of freedom and to the basic human rights of 
citizens to emigrate, to be reunited with their families, and to 
enjoy at least minimal governmental respect for their individual-
ity and human worth; 
Whereas the Soviet Government has not fulfilled its commitment to 
the Helsinki accords by denying individuals inherent rights to 
freedom of religion, thought, conscience, and emigration; 
Whereas the governments of the Soviet Union and its satellites have 
increased the difficulties faced by citizens who wish to reunite 
with family members in other countries, resulting in a drastic 
decline in recent emigration figures; 
Whereas Jews, Ukrainians, Baits, Byelorussicuis, Armenians, Geor-
gians, and members of other nationalities in the Soviet Union are 
persecuted and often imprisoned for attempts to celebrate their 
national heritage, to practice their religion, to express freely their 
opinions, to emigrate, or to monitor Soviet Government compli-
ance with the provisions of the Helsinki accords; 
Whereas the satellite nations of the Soviet Union have increased 
repression against labor union members, peace activists, religious 
and political dissenters, and others desiring to emigrate; and 
Helsinki Human 
Rights Day. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-58—JULY 25, 1983 
97 STAT. 295 
Whereas the denial of fundamental rights by the Soviet Government 
is a threat to peace throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of 
America in Congress assembled, That— 
(1) August 1,1983, the eighth anniversary of the signing of the 
Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in 
Europe, is designated as "Helsinki Human Rights Day"; 
(2) the President is authorized and requested to issue a procla-
mation reasserting the American commitment to full imple-
mentation of the human rights and humanitarian provisions of 
the Helsinki accords, urging all signatoiy nations, particularly 
the Soviet Union and its satellites, to abide by their obligations 
under the Helsinki accords, and encouraging the people of the 
United States to join the President and Congress in observance 
of Helsinki Human Rights Day with appropriate programs, 
ceremonies, and activities; and 
(3) the President is further requested to continue his efforts to 
achieve full implementation of the human rights and humani-
tarian provisions of the Helsinki accords by raising the issue of 
noncompliance with authorities of the Soviet Union and East 
European countries at every available opportunity. 
SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to transmit copies 
of this joint resolution to the President, the Secretary of State, and 
the Ambassadors of the thirty-four Helsinki signatory nations. 
Approved July 25, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 96: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
May. 20, considered and passed Senate. 
June 22, considered and passed House.