[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 98 (Monday, July 25, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       HELSINKI HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of Senate Joint 
Resolution 195, designating ``Helsinki Human Rights Day,'' and that the 
Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration, that the joint 
resolution be deemed read three times, passed and the motion to 
reconsider laid upon the table; that the preamble be agreed to and any 
statements appear in the Record, as if read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The joint resolution (S.J. Res. 195) was deemed read the third time 
and passed.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The joint resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 195

       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 Relations 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 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 and Hercegovina has resulted in 
     organized, systematic, and premediated 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 
     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, 1994, the 19th 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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