[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 235 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 235

     To designate August 1, 1993, as ``Helsinki Human Rights Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 22, 1993

Mr. Hoyer (for himself, Mr. Porter, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Sisisky, 
  Mr. Lipinski, Mrs. Kennelly, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Levin, Mr. Gilman, Mr. 
Serrano, Ms. Slaughter, Mrs. Morella, Mr. King, Mr. Frost, Mr. Hughes, 
Mr. Bonior, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Hall of Texas, Ms. Norton, Mr. 
   Swett, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Vento, and Mr. Hastings) introduced the 
     following joint resolution; which was referred jointly to the 
    Committees on Post Office and Civil Service and Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
     To designate August 1, 1993, as ``Helsinki Human Rights Day''.

Whereas August 1, 1993, is the 18th 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 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 responsibility are our common aims'';
Whereas the participating States have acknowledged that ``there is still much 
        work to be done in building democratic and pluralistic societies, where 
        diversity is fully protected and respected in practice'';
Whereas the war in Bosnia-Hercegovina has resulted in organized, systematic, and 
        premeditated war crimes and genocide and threatens stability and 
        security in Europe;
Whereas growing ethnic tensions, civil unrest, and egregious human rights 
        violations in several of the newly admitted CSCE states, most notably in 
        Tajikistan, are resulting 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 and 
        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, 1993, the 18th anniversary of the 
signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation 
in Europe is designated as ``Helsinki Human Rights Day''.
    (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 Helsinki 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.

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