A joint resolution to designate August 1, 1994, as "Helsinki Human Rights Day".
PL 103-294 (S.J.Res.195), enacted 08/11/1994

108 STAT. 1460 
PUBLIC LAW 103-294—AUG. 11, 1994 
Public Law 103-294 
103d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Aug. 11, 1994 
[S.J. Res. 195] 
To designate August 1, 1994, as "Helsinki Human Rights Da)^". 
Whereas August 1, 1994, is the 19th anniversary of the signing 
of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation 
in Europe (CSCE) (hereafter referred to as the "Helsinki 
Accords"); 
Whereas the participating States have declared their determination 
to fully respect and apply the Helsinki Principles Guiding Rela-
tions among participating States, including respect for human 
rights, the territorial integrity of States, and the inviolability 
of frontiers; 
Whereas the participating States have declared that "the protection 
and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms and 
the strengthening of democratic institutions continue to be a 
vital basis for our comprehensive security"; 
Whereas the participating States have declared that "respect for 
human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights 
of persons belonging to national minorities, democracy, the rule 
of law, economic liberty, social justice, and environmental respon-
sibility are our common aims"; 
Whereas the participating States have acknowledged that "there 
is still much work to be done in building democratic and plural-
istic societies, where diversity is fiilly protected and respected 
in practice"; 
Whereas the war in Bosnia and Hercegovina has resulted in orga-
nized, systematic, and premeditated war crimes and genocide 
and has threatened stability and security in Europe; 
Whereas ethnic tensions, civil unrest, and egregious human rights 
abuses in several of the recently admitted CSCE States continue 
to result in significant violations of CSCE commitments; and 
Whereas the CSCE has contributed to positive developments in 
Europe by promoting and furthering respect for the human rights 
and fundamental freedoms of all individuals and groups and 
provides an appropriate framework for the further development 
of such rights and freedoms and genuine security £uid cooperation 
among the participating States: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. HELSINKI HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—^August 1, 1994, the 19th anniversary of 
the signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and 
PUBLIC LAW 103-294—AUG. 11, 1994 
108 STAT. 1461 
Cooperation in Europe, is designated as "Helsinki Human Rights 
D a / . 
(b) PROCLAMATION.—^The President is authorized and requested 
to issue a proclamation reasserting America's commitment to full 
implementation of the human rights and humanitarian provisions 
of the Helsinki Accords, urging all signatory States 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. 
(c) HUMAN RIGHTS.—^The President is requested to convey to 
all signatories of the Helsinki Accords that respect for human 
rights and fundamental freedoms continues to be a vital element 
of further progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and to develop 
new proposals to advance the human rights objectives of the Hel-
sinki process, and in so doing to address the major problems that 
remain. 
SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL. 
The Secretary of State is directed to transmit copies of this 
joint resolution to the Ambassadors or representatives to the United 
States of the other 52 Helsinki signatory States. 
Approved August 11, 1994, 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 195: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 140 (1994): 
July 25, considered and passed Senate. 
Aug. 1, considered and passed House.