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press release
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to Appear at Helsinki Commission HearingWednesday, September 09, 2020
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following online hearing: ALBANIA'S CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE OSCE Responding to the Multiple Challenges of 2020 Thursday, September 17, 2020 1:00 p.m. Watch Live: www.youtube.com/HelsinkiCommission In 2020, Albania holds the chairmanship of the world's largest regional security organization—the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)—with a multi-dimensional mandate and a 57-country membership stretching from North America, across Europe, and to Central Asia and Mongolia. This year, the OSCE has faced the unprecedented challenge of a global pandemic and the clear urgency of action against racism, while maintaining its necessary focus on other longtime concerns often impacted by these developments. These concerns include Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine and threats to other nearby or neighboring countries; protracted conflicts in Transnistria, Georgia, and Nagorno-Karabakh; and political leaders in Belarus as well as in Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and other OSCE countries seeking to undermine democratic institutions and stifle dissent in every sector. Many countries are struggling—or failing—to live up to their OSCE commitments in the areas of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Vulnerable communities, including migrants, are targets of discrimination and violence. Uncertainties in the Western Balkans and Central Asia remain. The recent decision of some countries to block reappointments of senior officers at key OSCE institutions undermines the organization at a time when effective contributions to security and cooperation across the region are so deeply needed. The Helsinki Commission regularly holds a hearing allowing the annually rotating OSCE chairmanship to present its priorities for the year and to exchange views on current issues. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who holds his country's foreign affairs portfolio, will appear at this hearing to discuss the performance of the OSCE thus far in 2020 and to share his views in advance of the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting scheduled for early December.
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The OSCE: A Bulwark Against AuthoritarianismThursday, August 13, 2020
As we mark the 45th anniversary of the 1975 signing of the Helsinki Final Act, the founding document of today's Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the ideals of democracy that had been advanced by that pact—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and civil liberties—are under threat. In 1975, Soviet totalitarianism was the great threat to human rights and fundamental freedoms; today, authoritarianism poses a growing threat to human dignity and rights in the region. Authoritarianism is a fact of life in much of Eurasia, a reflection of the actual worldwide tension between countries defending universal human rights obligations and countries attempting to undermine trust in democratic institutions and promote an authoritarian model. This is true not only in repressive nations like Russia; even among some U.S. partner countries, there are warning signs. Some nations have also taken it upon themselves to block vital leadership roles in international institutions during a global pandemic unlike anything we have seen in a century. The ultimate outcome of this conflict is up to us. Liberty and human rights will prevail, but only if freedom-loving people everywhere join together to defend and preserve human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Many international institutions dedicated to freedom and human rights were founded with U.S. support in the wake of World War II, in which more than a million U.S. citizens were either killed or wounded and trillions of dollars spent on the effort to defeat fascism. Democratic ideals are ingrained in the founding charters that established those organizations. For nearly 75 years, such institutions have consistently served as a bulwark against totalitarianism, communism, terrorism, and other forms of tyranny; limited conflict among nations; helped raise millions out of poverty; and spread democratic values throughout the world. The OSCE grew out of the Helsinki Final Act, a 1975 political agreement among the United States, Canada, the Soviet Union, and other European nations. Signed by both democratic and communist regimes, the Final Act acknowledged openly that respect for human rights within states is crucial to security among states, and that human rights concerns could legitimately be raised among signatories. Today, the OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization, encompassing 57 countries in Europe, as well as the United States and Canada. It includes Russia, Ukraine, and many other successors of the former Soviet Union, reaching as far east as Central Asia and Mongolia, and north beyond the Arctic Circle. The phrase "Vancouver to Vladivostok" accurately describes the organization's reach. With its "comprehensive concept of security," the OSCE addresses military security, economic and environmental cooperation, and human rights and takes steps to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict within and among its members. The OSCE also supports the democratic development of nations that gained or regained independence in the post-Cold War period and are still finding their footing, often torn between corruption and the promise of a democratic future. Thirteen OSCE field missions operate in member countries seeking assistance in developing their democratic institutions. The OSCE recognizes and supports the important role played by civil society and the media in holding governments to account for blatant human rights violations and abuses of power. Unprecedented Gap in OSCE Leadership OSCE institutions—including its assembly of national legislators—foster an essential defense against the spread of authoritarianism. However, despite its comprehensive vision, we are now faced with an unprecedented gap in leadership at the OSCE due to the block on the extension of mandates for four senior leaders, including the Secretary General. Each week, the OSCE Permanent Council—comprising ambassadors to the OSCE from each participating State—meets in Vienna, Austria. In this forum, the United States seeks to shine a light on contraventions of States' OSCE tenets and violations of international law. The OSCE independent institutions, like the field missions, carry those messages forward. In addition to the organization's other work defending human rights and fundamental freedoms, its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) manages the OSCE's election observation missions, internationally recognized as the "gold standard" for their methodology. Other independent offices lead the OSCE's work on Freedom of the Media and rights of national minorities. Unfortunately, in July, these vital institutions were deprived of strong and consistent leadership by countries—including Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Turkey—that seem intent on attempting to weaken the OSCE's ability to hold countries accountable for their actions and undermining the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government are partners in bringing American leadership to support the OSCE's work. Several times each year, members of Congress—including lawmakers serving on the U.S. Helsinki Commission, which monitors implementation of the Helsinki Accords —gather at meetings of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, where they secure political commitments and build mutually beneficial relationships among legislators from the OSCE's participating States to help push back against anti-democratic actions by national governments. Unfortunately, several OSCE participating States—countries that have repeatedly committed to upholding the principles and values enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act— are exhibiting a troubling slide toward authoritarianism. The United States and our democratic allies have criticized efforts to restrict and persecute journalists, human rights defenders, civil society, members of the political opposition, and members of ethnic and religious minorities. We also have jointly criticized efforts to stifle media freedom and limit political pluralism in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as raised concerns about media consolidation in Hungary, and limitations on freedom of speech and freedom of the press elsewhere. Russia's Destabilizing Actions No OSCE participating State bears more responsibility for fomenting mistrust, insecurity, corruption, and human rights violations and abuses in this region than the Russian Federation. Russia's destabilizing actions contravene all 10 Helsinki Final Act principles, ranging from respect for human rights to the prohibition of military incursions into neighboring countries. Russia continues its aggressive actions in Ukraine, including its purported annexation of Crimea. The proxy forces Russia arms, trains, leads, and fights alongside in eastern Ukraine make it dangerous for the unarmed OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to fulfill its Permanent Council-approved mandate to monitor the conflict. Russia uses its resources—economic, political, informational, and military—to defeat freedom and democracy. Russia does not rely on military force alone to threaten democratic governance; it also uses hybrid tactics daily, ranging from cyber intrusions to influence campaigns — aimed at undermining democratic elections. We hope that someday, authoritarian countries like Russia will start behaving again according to the rules of international law. Unfortunately, these countries currently reject the values of democracy, liberty, and human rights. The authoritarian regimes view democracy as an existential threat—hence the actions some of them have taken to restrict the OSCE's ability to do its work. The struggle today is between those who believe authoritarianism is the right way forward and those of us who still believe that Thomas Jefferson was right in his declaration that the desire for freedom exists within the heart of every human being. In a hyper-connected modern world in which disinformation becomes an ever more powerful weapon and the divisions within free societies are exploited by malign actors, U.S. membership in organizations like the OSCE emphasizes clearly, openly, and emphatically that America will not cede the field to the authoritarian regimes. We will not allow them to be the ones to dictate what is truth and what is fiction. Human Rights and Ideals Just as Valid in 2020 Through the OSCE, the United States directly confronts the deceit of Russia and other authoritarian powers. By raising our voices, through our participation and leadership, we reassure our friends that the United States stands with them and supports our shared values against the growing tide of autocracy. By raising our voices, we remind allies and adversaries alike that the United States remains engaged and committed to what is fair, what is right, and what is true. Together, our U.S. Mission to the OSCE and the U.S. Helsinki Commission remind allies and adversaries alike that America will not ignore regimes that are actively hostile to our values and see our liberty as an existential threat. We will always prioritize respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, defend the principles of liberty, and encourage tolerance within societies, because such efforts are vital to the promotion of democracy and to U.S. national security. We reject the authoritarian notion that our fundamental freedoms are a weakness. They are our greatest strength. The United States and other like-minded countries use the power of the OSCE to show that human rights and ideals are just as valid in 2020 as they were in 1975, when the Helsinki Accords were signed. These rights not only ensure the physical, economic, and mental wellbeing of all our populations, they make the countries' governments stronger by building legitimacy in the eyes of their citizens. America's unwavering support of these values through multilateral organizations like the OSCE remains vital. As noted in the Trump administration's U.S. National Security Strategy, "Authoritarian actors have long recognized the power of multilateral bodies and have used them to advance their interests and limit the freedom of their own citizens. If the United States cedes leadership of these bodies to adversaries, opportunities to shape developments that are positive for the United States will be lost." The OSCE deserves to be recognized by the people of both the United States and our allies and partners as a valuable tool in the fight against autocracy. We must not abandon it by leaving its most important institutions without leadership beyond its 45th anniversary. Instead, through our efforts, and those of our allies and partners in the OSCE, we must continue to defend liberty and human rights in our region and provide a beacon of hope for citizens everywhere who aspire to a free and democratic future.
press release
Hastings: Petty Parochialism Denies OSCE Vital Leadership During Global CrisisTuesday, July 14, 2020
WASHINGTON—Following yesterday's failure of OSCE representatives to renew the mandates of four leadership positions—the OSCE Secretary General, the High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Representative on Freedom of the Media, and the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights—Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) issued the following statement: "We are in trouble when petty parochialism denies us vital leadership in the midst of a global crisis. Now more than ever, reliable multilateral institutions are needed to forge solutions during and after the current pandemic. "Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and other OSCE participating States who have blocked consensus on extending dedicated public servants should be ashamed of themselves. History will show the folly of abandoning essential leadership for cooperation." Negotiations to renew each mandate collapsed in part in response to the written objections of Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Turkey, and the subsequent withholding of consensus by other participating States. Even efforts to devise interim extensions failed, leaving vital OSCE leadership positions vacant during an unprecedented global crisis. The failure highlights the unwillingness of some OSCE participating States to live up to their stated commitments to democratic institutions, the rule of law, media pluralism, and free and fair elections. Leaving key leadership roles unfilled drastically weakens the OSCE's ability to hold countries accountable for their actions and undermines the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the world's largest regional security organization. It spans 57 participating States reaching from Vancouver to Vladivostok. The OSCE sets standards in fields including military security, economic and environmental cooperation, and human rights and humanitarian concerns. In addition, the OSCE undertakes a variety of initiatives designed to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict within and among the participating States.
press release
Hastings: Plagues Do Not Stop PersecutionFriday, June 19, 2020
WASHINGTON—Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) issued the following statement: "The COVID-19 pandemic has exponentially multiplied the overwhelming challenges already faced by refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. To stop the spread of the disease, many countries have closed their borders or strictly limited entry. Unfortunately, this gives refugees nowhere to turn; plagues do not stop persecution. "I encourage governments in the OSCE region to be mindful of safeguarding the public health of their citizens and residents, while still living up to their commitments to offer refuge to the most vulnerable. No country should exploit the pandemic to permanently restrict entry from refugees and asylum seekers. "In addition, authorities must ensure that refugees and asylum seekers can access the services they need to stay healthy. The close quarters in many camps and detention centers make social distancing impossible and, along with a lack of quality medical care and in some cases even basic sanitation, can contribute to coronavirus outbreaks among already vulnerable populations." In a June 2019 podcast, the Helsinki Commission examined the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities throughout the OSCE, including refugees and minorities. More than 79.5 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced as of the end of 2019, including 26 million refugees, 45.7 internally displaced persons, and 4.2 million asylum seekers, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Almost 7 million of these refugees and more than 2.1 million asylum seekers were located in OSCE participating States. On March 17, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration announced they were suspending resettlement departures following pandemic-related entry restrictions by resettlement countries. They announced a resumption on June 18. One hundred and sixty-one countries still have partial or full entry closures, including 97 countries with no exemptions for refugees or asylum seekers. The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration suspended U.S. Refugee Admissions Program admissions for two weeks on March 19 and subsequently indefinitely. The few admissions since have been emergency exceptions. In addition, rules effective March 20 restricted land ports of entry from Canada and Mexico to "essential travel." Neither rule included travel by asylum seekers, refugees, or unaccompanied minors as "essential." All U.S. restrictions currently remain in effect.
Respecting Human Rights and Maintaining Democratic Control during States of EmergencyFriday, May 08, 2020
Statement at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Webinar: Respecting Human Rights and Maintaining Democratic Control during States of Emergency President Tsereteli, Secretary General Montella, it is good hear from you. I am pleased to see that this Assembly has found ways to communicate, cooperate and collaborate — in spite of the distances that keep us apart, and as an expression of our shared commitments to our roles as legislators. At last year's annual session, I was the lead sponsor of a supplementary item on "the role of civil society — individuals and non-governmental organizations — in realizing the aims and aspirations of the OSCE." The resolution we adopted in Luxembourg acknowledges the critical role civil society plays in enhancing security and cooperation across all OSCE dimensions. I appreciate President Tsereteli appointing our colleague, the Honorable Pia Kauma, as the Assembly's Special Representative to be an advocate for civil society engagement and she has done a great job so far. I am sorry, but not surprised that some governments have taken the need for emergency measures as an opportunity for repressive measures. Hungary is the only OSCE participating State that does not have a sunset clause for the expiration of its emergency measures, or requiring parliamentary approval for an extension. Parliamentary oversight is absolutely essential, especially when governments seek to exercise extraordinary powers. I believe we must also pay particular attention to those measures that relate to freedoms of assembly, association, and expression. I am also troubled by the heavy-handed disciplinary and punitive approach utilized in some areas, which exacerbates existing discriminatory and unconstitutional policing. I want to thank you, Director Gisladottir, for your attention to this and speaking out against the hate crimes and scapegoating of minorities, refugees and migrants. In the next legislation that will come before the U.S. Congress, I will support provisions to address hate crimes and other forms of discrimination in our societies recently highlighted by the pandemic. The February 25 profiling murder of Ahmaud Aubrey by his neighbors in the state of Georgia demonstrates the urgency of our fight for equity and justice for all beyond our current crisis. But I would like to pause here for a moment, to reflect on violations of fundamental freedoms that some governments had already imposed even before now. If a law or practice violated OSCE human rights and democracy norms before the pandemic, circumstances now will surely not cure that violation. Threats against journalists, restrictions on academic freedom, imprisoning people for their political views, and impeding or even criminalizing NGOs' access to and communication within and outside their own countries — all of that is still inconsistent with OSCE commitments, and the pandemic does not change that. Principle VII of the Helsinki Final Act still holds: individuals still have the right to know and act upon their rights. I therefore add my voice to the international calls from OSCE institutional bodies and others around the world for the release of all prisoners of conscience given this pandemic. Prison populations are particularly susceptible to community spread. To address dangerous overcrowding, governments should work first and foremost to release those imprisoned for exercising their internationally recognized rights or those wrongly imprisoned contrary to international commitments. I regret Turkey's decision in particular to approve a plan to release 90,000 prisoners that excluded relief for any of the thousands of political prisoners, including opposition politicians, civil society activists, employees of U.S. diplomatic missions, and many more. Which brings me back to the important work of Special Representative Kauma. Civil society is not a luxury, it is essential. If anything, it becomes even more important during an emergency when governments may legitimately exercise powers, but those powers may not be unlimited, unchecked, or unending. A vibrant civil society plays a critical role in holding governments to account, particularly at times of great social stress. Those human rights groups, the parent-teacher organizations, book clubs, or food banks— all enrich our societies. Colleagues, this pandemic has upended elections across the OSCE region. According to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's factsheet, forty OSCE participating States — including my own — have elections scheduled for this year. As we all rise to meet the challenge of conducting elections safely, we must maintain transparency regarding the entire electoral process, especially any changes to the timing of elections, methods of voting, or measures that impact campaigning. The United States is already debating these issues in preparation for November. Even in a pandemic, international and domestic election observation remains vital. We must find a solution to ensure that they are engaged and included even now.
press release
Helsinki Commission Chairman Condemns Russian-backed Syrian Government Offensive in IdlibWednesday, March 04, 2020
WASHINGTON—In response to mounting casualties from clashes between Turkish and Russian-backed Syrian forces in northwestern Syria and the Turkish government's decision to open its borders to refugee flows toward mainland Europe, Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) issued the following statement: "A vicious Russian and Syrian government offensive in Idlib province is responsible for the unacceptable military escalation, civilian suffering, and displacement crisis we have witnessed in recent days and weeks," said Chairman Hastings. "Presidents Putin and Assad must stop this assault immediately and comply with international humanitarian law requiring them to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. I further urge the Trump administration to deploy appropriate resources to address these pressing security and humanitarian challenges, which will undoubtedly impact the OSCE region. We must sustainably meet the needs of the most vulnerable and the countless refugees resulting from Russian and Syrian aggression." On February 27, Russian-backed Syrian forces killed at least 33 Turkish soldiers in the northwestern Idlib province of Syria. Following this incident, the Turkish government announced the opening of Turkey's borders for refugees and migrants to go westward to European Union member countries, despite the March 2016 EU-Turkey agreement "to end the irregular migration from Turkey to the EU." That agreement is founded on the multi-billion euro EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey established in 2015. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in a March 2 statement, the daily rate of refugees and asylum-seekers arriving in Greece from Turkey has increased in March. Since early December, fighting in northwestern Syria has displaced more than 948,000 people, including 569,000 children and 195,000 women, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Turkey hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees. Along with the United States, Tukey is a NATO ally. The United States, Russian Federation and Turkey, are participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Public Diplomacy, Democracy, and Global LeadershipThursday, December 05, 2019
For more than a century, the United States has advanced shared human rights, economic, and security policy goals in the transatlantic relationship by cultivating people-to-people ties through public diplomacy initiatives. As democracies around the world face new challenges emanating from demographic shifts, technological advancements, and evolving security threats, the need for public diplomacy initiatives that cultivate leaders who espouse democratic principles, including inclusive and representative governance, grows more relevant. The U.S. Helsinki Commission convened a hearing to focus on U.S.-led public diplomacy international exchange initiatives that strengthen democratic institutions by targeting young and diverse leaders, encouraging civic engagement, and fostering social inclusion and cohesion in the OSCE region. Presiding over the hearing, Chairman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) stated, "This year, under my leadership, the Helsinki Commission has held events on the importance of international election observation, good governance, and focused on democratic backsliding in particular countries as part of our continued commitment to the underlying principles of the Helsinki Final Act. Common to all of these issues is the role good leaders can play in ensuring free and fair elections; laws that are equitable, transparent, and enforced; and laying the groundwork to ensure protections and rights for all in their constituencies […] for the long-term stability of our nation and the transatlantic partnership." In his opening remarks, Chairman Hastings also noted that he planned to introduce legislation to support of leadership exchanges and knowledge-building between diverse transatlantic policymakers, and to encourage representative democracies. He also announced a February program for young OSCE parliamentarians to strengthen their political inclusion and advance peace and security efforts. Chairman Hastings was joined by Commissioners Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33). Rep. Veasey raised the importance of metrics in assessing the impact of leadership programs and soft diplomacy, while Rep. Cleaver stated, "For the first time since the end of World War II, the extreme right is actually winning seats in the German Parliament," highlighting increased security risks related to public diplomacy programs operating in countries that have seen an increase in hate crimes and racial prejudice. Witnesses included Cordell Carter, II, Executive Director of the Socrates Program at the Aspen Institute; Stacie Walters Fujii, Chair of the American Council of Young Political Leaders; and Lora Berg, Counselor for Inclusive Leadership at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Carter reviewed the Aspen Institute's public policy programming on transatlantic relations and discussed the importance of promoting democratic values, including efforts to strengthen the capacity of congressional staff and encourage dialogues around the United States on being an "inclusive republic." He concluded by asking Congress to create more opportunities for public discourse on issues that threaten the stability of democracies around the world. Fujii discussed the importance of international exchanges in supporting democracies and the work of American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). ACYPL was founded in 1966 to strengthen transatlantic relationships by promoting mutual understanding among young political leaders in Western Europe and the former Soviet Union. Critical aspects of the program include offering international leaders the opportunity to come to the U.S. to observe campaigning, polling stations, election returns, and the response of the American people to elections, complemented by follow-on educational conversations about democratic processes in their countries. Berg highlighted the importance of public diplomacy initiatives in advancing inclusive leadership and observed that nations gain in richness and capacity when diversity is reflected in leadership. She also noted that inclusive leadership not only plays an important role in promoting social harmony, but it also helps to ensure economic growth, stating that "the places with the highest social cohesion are the most reliable for investment." Berg explained that the GMF's Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network (TILN) grew out of work she engaged in while working for the Department of State. TILN is an innovative network of young, diverse leaders across the United States and Europe supported by the Helsinki Commission and State Department. Berg argued for the expansion of U.S. Government-supported public diplomacy inclusive leadership initiatives targeting youth and diverse populations in western democracies, including through public-private partnerships, the creation of a public diplomacy officer position in Europe to foster Europe-wide next generation transatlantic leadership, and increased political participation measures domestically and abroad for diverse populations.
press release
Helsinki Commission to Review Role of Professional Exchanges in Strengthening Democratic InstitutionsMonday, December 02, 2019
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following hearing: PUBLIC DIPLOMACY, DEMOCRACY, AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP An Approach for the 21st Century Thursday, December 5, 2019 10:00 a.m. Longworth House Office Building Room 1334 Live Webcast: www.youtube.com/HelsinkiCommission For more than a century, the United States has advanced human rights, economic, and security policy goals in Europe by cultivating people-to-people ties across the Atlantic. More than 500 heads of state, 100 Members of Congress, and thousands of professionals have participated in U.S. Government-sponsored exchanges, including the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program, while public and private organizations have hosted similar programs to bring leaders together. Witnesses at the hearing will explore the origins and role of professional exchanges and other public diplomacy programs that strengthen relationships with U.S. allies in the face of shared challenges including eroding trust in democratic institutions, demographic shifts, technological advancements, and evolving security threats. In particular, the hearing will focus on international exchange initiatives that strengthen democratic institutions by targeting young and diverse leaders, encouraging civic engagement, and fostering social inclusion and cohesion in the OSCE region. The following witnesses are scheduled to participate: Lora Berg, Senior Fellow, Leadership Programs, German Marshall Fund of the United States Cordell Carter, II, Executive Director, Socrates Program, The Aspen Institute Stacie Walters Fujii, Chair, American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) Photo credit: German Marshall Fund of the United States
At What Cost?Thursday, October 31, 2019
Sparked by the recent Turkish military offensive in northeastern Syria, increased tensions between the United States and Turkey have reignited the debate about the future of U.S.-Turkish bilateral relations. The Helsinki Commission convened this hearing to discuss how the United States should respond to the Turkish Government's continuing abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Expert witnesses at the hearing reviewed prominent cases of politically-motivated prosecution, failures of due process, and prospects for judicial reform as they relate to Turkey's commitments as a member of both the OSCE and NATO. The panel also evaluated President Erdogan's plan to return millions of Syrian refugees to their war-torn country or push them to Europe, and the human consequences of his military incursion into Syria. Presiding over the hearing, Commission Ranking Member Rep. Joe Wilson affirmed that as co-chair for the Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations & Turkish Americans he supports the people of Turkey and the U.S.-Turkish alliance. He cautioned, however, that President Erdogan's actions threaten to undermine that alliance and damage the security of the region. Rep. Marc Veasey noted that Turkey is being "torn between two worlds": one of democracy and one of autocracy. Sen. John Boozman and Rep. Steve Cohen were also present at the hearing. The Commission heard testimony from Gonul Tol, Director of the Center for Turkish Studies at the Middle East Institute; Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey Program Coordinator at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED); Henri Barkey, the Bernard L. and Bertha F. Cohen Professor at Lehigh University; Eric Schwartz, the President of Refugees International; and Talip Kucukcan, professor of sociology at Marmara University. Dr. Tol testified that "most freedoms under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been dramatically curtailed" but counseled that Turkey "is not a fullblown dictatorship." The Turkish government has targeted activists, journalists, and opposition politicians with "trumped-up terrorism charges and "largely criminalized Kurdish political expression." She highlighted the opposition's recent victories in mayoral elections as "a testament to the peoples of Turkey, the great majority of whom refuse to give up on the idea of democratic rule." Dr. Tol further urged the United States to view "the Kurdish question…[as] a matter of democratization and human rights" for the Turkish state. Ms. Tahiroglu explained the deterioration of the rule of law under Erdogan's government. According to her testimony, Erdogan's administration has politicized the judiciary and rendered it "a main weapon against government critics and opponents" through repressive laws and false terrorism charges. She noted key judicial cases against civil society activists, journalists, opposition politicians, professors, U.S. citizens, and employees of U.S. consulates in the country. Ms. Tahiroglu testified that the breakdown of the rule of law in Turkey matters for U.S. interests because it has swept up U.S. citizens, "fuels anti-Americanism," and "embolden[s] Turkey's aggressive policies abroad by suppressing dissenting voices." Dr. Barkey focused his testimony on the Turkish government's suppression of the struggle for recognition of Kurdish social and political identity. Barkey explained the significance of the People's Democratic Party (HDP)—Turkey's second largest opposition party—in providing an opportunity for Turkey's Kurdish population to participate in Turkish politics. "From that perspective, they have been very, very successful," Barkey assessed. "It may have been far too successful for its own good." Dr. Barkey detailed President Erdogan's "relentless campaign to dismantle and delegitimize the HDP." Mr. Schwartz spoke about the humanitarian implications of Turkey's incursion into northeastern Syria. The reports of human rights abuses and civilian deaths are cause for deep concern, he said. He criticized the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria instead of implementing a strategic departure. Schwartz concluded with a recommendation for the United States to support locally based NGOs that provide humanitarian assistance to populations by the Turkish operation. Dr. Kucukcan reminded the audience that Turkey's incursion occurred with President Donald Trump's consent. The incursion, he noted, serves to protect Turkey's national security and preserve the territorial integrity of Syria. Dr. Kucukcan disputed that Turkey plans "ethnic cleansing" or "demographic engineering in places where [military] operations took place."
press release
Helsinki Commission Hearing to Review Human Rights Developments in TurkeyFriday, October 25, 2019
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following hearing: AT WHAT COST? The Human Toll of Turkey's Policy at Home and Abroad Thursday, October 31, 2019 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Rayburn House Office Building Room 2200 Live Webcast: www.youtube.com/HelsinkiCommission Sparked by the recent Turkish military offensive in northeastern Syria, increased tensions between the United States and Turkey have reignited the debate about the future of U.S.-Turkish bilateral relations. At the hearing, expert witnesses will discuss how the United States should respond to the Turkish Government's continuing abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Participants will review prominent cases of politically-motivated prosecution, failures of due process, and prospects for judicial reform as they relate to Turkey's commitments as a member of both the OSCE and NATO. The panel also will evaluate President Erdogan's plan to return millions of Syrian refugees to their war-torn country or push them to Europe, and the human consequences of his military incursion into Syria. The following witnesses are scheduled to participate: Henri Barkey, Bernard L. and Bertha F. Cohen Professor, Lehigh University Talip Kucukcan, Professor of Sociology, Marmara University Eric Schwartz, President, Refugees International Merve Tahiroglu, Turkey Program Coordinator, Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) Gonul Tol, Director, Center for Turkish Studies, Middle East Institute (MEI) Additional witnesses may be added.
press release
Co-Chairman Wicker Statement on Developments in Northern SyriaThursday, October 10, 2019
WASHINGTON—Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) today issued the following statement on reports that Turkey has launched an attack on Kurdish troops in northern Syria: "Kurdish troops bravely fought alongside Americans and our other allies to defeat the ISIS caliphate. The small deployment of special operators we had in northern Syria supported the fight against extremism and protected our partners. We should continue to stand by our Kurdish friends and oppose Turkey's invasion. Those who support the United States deserve nothing less. Otherwise, we undermine our country's interests in the region and our credibility around the world."
Safe and Dignified ReturnFriday, September 20, 2019
In July, nearly 300 parliamentarians from the 57 OSCE participating States met for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) 2019 annual session in Luxembourg, where they addressed in a final declaration the wide range of issues of current concern to the organization. Of these issues, none received more attention than those relating to human rights and humanitarian questions; the relevant section of the declaration contained more than 180 paragraphs. Leading subjects of concern included the treatment of investigative journalists, manifestations of discrimination and intolerance in society, gender inequality, and efforts to stifle dissent. The text also focused heavily on migration, including the rights of refugees. During the consideration of a final text for adoption, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), who has been active in representing the United States at OSCE PA meetings in recent years and serves on the OSCE PA's Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, proposed an amendment underlining the importance of the right of safe return of refugees. Her amendment, co-sponsored by other members of Congress and by parliamentarians from Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, and North Macedonia, made clear that returns should not only be safe, but also voluntary and dignified. The adopted text, included in the Luxembourg Declaration, reads as follows: "The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly underlines that the right of voluntary, safe and dignified return for refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes and properties must be guaranteed;" The concept of voluntary return is at the heart of binding international law on refugees. The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees states, "No Contracting State shall expel or return ('refouler') a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion." The convention originally was restricted to people who became refugees because of "events occurring in Europe before 1 January 1951." The 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which removed the convention's time and geographic restrictions, maintains the binding "non-refoulement" obligation. There are only a few exceptions on "grounds of national security or public order" and only after "due process of law." According to the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, presented in 1998 by the United Nations Secretary General's Representative on Internally Displaced Persons, "Competent authorities have the primary duty and responsibility to establish conditions, as well as provide the means, which allow internally displaced persons to return voluntarily, in safety and with dignity, to their homes or places of habitual residence, or to resettle voluntarily in another part of the country." The principles are not legally binding on governments, but they are the point of reference for how a government should respond to internally displaced persons.
INTRODUCTION OF THE TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION ACCOUNTABILITY AND PREVENTION ACT OF 2019 (TRAP ACT)Monday, September 16, 2019
Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission—a congressional watchdog for human rights and democracy in Europe and Eurasia—I am frequently reminded of the new opportunities that technology and globalization present for human rights defenders around the globe. For those struggling to defend their liberty and human dignity, our interconnected world brings with it the possibility of sharing information, coordinating action, and demonstrating solidarity across thousands of miles in fractions of a second. It means that truth is more capable of piercing the veil of enforced ignorance erected by the world's most repressive states Technology also further empowers dissidents in exile to connect with, and influence the foot soldiers of freedom who march on in their homelands. But with these new openings for liberty come novel approaches to repression. Authoritarian and autocratic regimes are appropriating agile, 21st century technology to prop up sclerotic systems of brutality and corruption. Technological developments have provoked greater feelings of insecurity in these brittle regimes and propelled them to extend their repression far beyond their borders, sometimes reaching into the refuge of democratic societies where political opponents, independent journalists, and civil society activists operate in safety. Madam Speaker, I recently introduced bipartisan legislation to tackle these emerging challenges with my friend and Helsinki Commission Ranking Member, Representative JOE WILSON of South Carolina We are confident that this legislation, supported by the bicameral leadership of the Helsinki Commission and other leaders on human rights, will place the United States on course to lead the free world in holding the line against these modern manifestations of political persecution, or what some have called ''transnational repression.'' The Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention Act—or TRAP Act—is designed to counter one key instrument in the autocrat's 21st century toolkit politically-motivated abuse of the International Criminal Police Organization, more commonly known as INTERPOL. INTERPOL is a legitimate and potent tool for international law enforcement cooperation—one that the United States relies on heavily to bring criminals to justice and thwart threats to security around the globe. Sadly, autocrats have recognized the potential for repression in INTERPOL's worldwide communications system that ties into the law enforcement agencies of its 194 member countries. The Helsinki Commission regularly receives credible reports from human rights defenders, journalists, political activists, and businesspeople who have fallen victim to the efforts of corrupt regimes to ensnare them using INTERPOL's system of international requests for arrest and extradition, known as Red Notices and Diffusions. These are the modern-day ''traps'' addressed by the TRAP Act. Because of these notices, innocent individuals live in fear of traveling mternationally and have been detained, had their bank accounts closed, and, sometimes, been returned into the hands of the very regimes from which they escaped. Madam Speaker, our legislation opens three new fronts agamst the threat of INTERPOL abuse. First, it clearly states that it is the policy of the United States to use our influence in INTERPOL to advance specific reforms that increase transparency and accountability for those that abuse the system while helping the organization to live up to its stated obligations to uphold international human rights standards and resist politicization It further establishes that the United States will use its diplomatic clout to confront countries that abuse INTERPOL and work to ensure the freedom of movement and ability to engage in lawful commerce of victims of this abuse the world over. Second, the TRAP Act exerts oversight over the United States' internal mechanisms to identify, challenge, and respond to instances of INTERPOL abuse. The bill requires the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State—in coordination with other relevant agencies—to submit to Congress an assessment of the scope and seriousness of autocratic abuse of INTERPOL, an evaluation of the adequacy of the processes in place domestically and at INTERPOL to resist this abuse, and a plan for improving interagency coordination to confront this phenomenon. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the TRAP Act places strict limitations on how the United States Government can use INTERPOL notices in legal or administrative proceedings that could interfere with the freedom or immigration status of individuals in our country. We have been deeply concerned by reports that some authorities in this country have improperly cited INTERPOL notices from autocratic countries to detain individuals and place them in danger of being returned to the very countries from which they fled. The TRAP Act will make crystal clear that autocratic regimes cannot use INTERPOL notices to weaponize the U.S. judicial system against their political targets. Madam Speaker, these measures are critical to restricting the freedom that some autocratic regimes have enjoyed to harass, persecute, and detain their political opponents around the world. Authoritarian and autocratic states like China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Venezuela must be called out by name and held to account for their repeated manipulation of legitimate law enforcement tools for petty political ends. Madam Speaker, I would also like to place the TRAP Act in the context of the other work that the U.S. Helsinki Commission has done to address the grave threat of transnational repression and malign influence by authoritarian regimes. The Countering Russian and Other Overseas Kleptocracy—or ''CROOK'' Act, the Kleptocrat Exposure Act, and the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act have all been the result of a focus by Commissioners and Commission staff on developing a bipartisan congressional response to the existential threat of global authoritarianism. We can no longer sit idly by, content that those who wish to do us harm are on the other side of the world. In this new age of autocracy, the threat is here—now—and it comes in the form of abusive Red Notices, dirty money, and bought-and-paid-for lawfare tactics The purpose of these tactics is to silence journalists and activists, hollow out the rule of law, and ensure that no one ever dare pursue this new class of transnational kleptocrats whose sole goal is the wholesale looting of the countries they claim to serve and the seamless transfer of those ill-gotten gains to our shores and those of our allies.
2019 Human Dimension Implementation MeetingFriday, September 13, 2019
From September 16 to September 27, OSCE participating States will meet in Warsaw, Poland, for the 2019 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM), organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). As Europe's largest annual human rights conference, the HDIM brings together hundreds of government and nongovernmental representatives, international experts, and human rights activists for two weeks to review OSCE human rights commitments and progress. During the 2019 meeting, three specifically selected topics will each be the focus of a full-day discussion: "safety of journalists," "hate crimes," and "Roma and Sinti." These special topics are chosen to highlight key areas for improvement in the OSCE region and promote discussion of pressing issues. Human Dimension Implementation Meeting 2019 Since the HDIM was established in 1998, the OSCE participating States have a standing agreement to hold an annual two-week meeting to review the participating States' compliance with the human dimension commitments they have previously adopted by consensus. The phrase "human dimension" was coined to describe the OSCE norms and activities related to fundamental freedoms, democracy (such as free elections, the rule of law, and independence of the judiciary), humanitarian concerns (such as refugee migration and human trafficking), and concerns relating to tolerance and nondiscrimination (such as countering anti-Semitism and racism). Each year, the HDIM allows participating States to assess one another's implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments, identify challenges, and make recommendations for improvement. The HDIM agenda covers all human dimension commitments, including freedoms of expression and the media, peaceful assembly and association, and religion or belief; democratic elections; the rule of law; tolerance and non-discrimination; combating trafficking in persons; women's rights; and national minorities, including Roma and Sinti. Unique about the HDIM is the inclusion and strong participation of non-governmental organizations. The United States has been a stout advocate for the involvement of NGOs in the HDIM, recognizing the vital role that civil society plays in human rights and democracy-building initiatives. OSCE structures allow NGO representatives to raise issues of concern directly with government representatives, both by speaking during the formal working sessions of the HDIM and by organizing side events that examine specific issues in greater detail. Members of the U.S. delegation to the 2019 HDIM include: Ambassador James S. Gilmore, U.S. Permanent Representative to the OSCE and Head of Delegation Christopher Robinson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Roger D. Carstens, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Elan S. Carr, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Alex T. Johnson, Chief of Staff, U.S. Helsinki Commission
press release
Helsinki Commission Leaders Introduce Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention (TRAP) ActThursday, September 12, 2019
WASHINGTON—Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) and Ranking Member Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02) today introduced the Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention (TRAP) Act (H.R. 4330) in the House of Representatives. Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) and Ranking Member Sen. Ben Cardin (MD) introduced the TRAP Act (S. 2483) in the Senate on Tuesday. The legislation addresses politically-motivated abuse of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) by autocracies. "Today's autocrats don't simply try to silence journalists, activists, and other independent voices at home. They also hunt them down in their places of refuge abroad," said Chairman Hastings. "Such repressive regimes even manipulate INTERPOL—a legitimate and potent tool for international law enforcement cooperation—to trap their targets using trumped-up requests for detention and extradition. The United States must act to prevent this flagrant abuse and protect those who fight for freedom, human rights, and the rule of law." "Instead of facing consequences for their serial abuse of INTERPOL, autocratic states like Russia and China have instead jockeyed for senior positions in the organization," said Co-Chairman Wicker. "The United States and other democracies should impose real costs for this global assault on the rule of law. This legislation would ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of defending the vulnerable against the long arm of state repression." "The Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention Act continues the tradition of U.S. leadership in combating INTERPOL abuse, holding perpetrators accountable, and advancing necessary reforms within the U.S. Government and INTERPOL to respond to this threat," said Rep. Wilson. "This legislation makes it clear that the United States stands on the side of freedom for those who defy repression, resist corruption, and defend human rights wherever they seek refuge and a voice." "Autocratic regimes are increasingly exporting their repression overseas, including to our own country. The United States must respond more forcefully to these attacks against the rule of law and deter the serial abuse of INTERPOL by repressive governments," said Sen. Cardin. "This legislation is critical to establishing stronger protections for dissidents and other independent voices whom these regimes wish to apprehend in the United States on politically motivated charges." The Helsinki Commission regularly receives credible reports from political dissidents, human rights defenders, and members of the business community who are the subject of politically-motivated INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions requested by autocratic regimes. These mechanisms, which function effectively as extradition requests, can be based on trumped-up criminal charges and used to detain, harass, or otherwise persecute individuals for their activism or refusal to acquiesce to corrupt schemes. Following reports that U.S. immigration authorities have cited such politically-motivated INTERPOL requests to detain some individuals and consider removing them from the United States, the TRAP Act formally codifies strict limitations on how INTERPOL requests can be used by U.S. authorities. The TRAP Act further declares that it is the policy of the United States to pursue specific reforms within INTERPOL and use its diplomatic clout internationally to protect the rights of victims and denounce abusers. The bill requires the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State, in consultation with other relevant agencies, to provide Congress with an assessment of autocratic abuse of INTERPOL, what the United States is doing to counteract it, and how to adapt United States policy to this evolving autocratic practice. The State Department would also be required to publicly report on the abuse of INTERPOL in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights to create a transparent, public record of these violations of the rule of law. Russia is among the world's most prolific abusers of INTERPOL's Notice and Diffusion mechanisms. Other participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)—principally Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkey—and other authoritarian states, such as China, also reportedly target political opponents with INTERPOL requests that violate key provisions of INTERPOL's Constitution, which obligate the organization to uphold international human rights standards and strictly avoid involvement in politically-motivated charges. Original co-sponsors of the legislation include Helsinki Commission members Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), Sen. Cory Gardner (CO), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08), Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33). Rep. John Curtis (UT-03), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), and Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-07) are also original co-sponsors.
press release
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir to Appear at Helsinki Commission HearingWednesday, July 17, 2019
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following hearing: STATE OF MEDIA FREEDOM IN THE OSCE REGION Thursday, July 25, 2019 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Capitol Visitor Center Room HVC-210 Live Webcast: www.youtube.com/HelsinkiCommission Journalists working in the 57 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) are facing increased risks to their lives and safety. According to a new report released the Office of the Representative for Freedom of the Media, in the first six months of 2019, two journalists have been killed and an additional 92 attacks and threats—including one bombing, three shootings, and seven arson attacks—have targeted members of the media. In his first appearance before Congress, OSCE Representative for Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir will assess the fragile state of media freedom within the OSCE region. Mr. Desir also will address the number of imprisoned media professionals as well as the violence, threats, and intimidation directed toward female journalists. The hearing will explore the threat posed by disinformation and online content designed to provoke violence and hate. Following the hearing, at 5:00 p.m. in Room HVC-200, the Helsinki Commission will host a viewing of the documentary, "A Dark Place," which details the online harassment of female journalists working in the OSCE region.
The Helsinki Process: A Four Decade OverviewFriday, June 28, 2019
In August 1975, the heads of state or government of 35 countries – the Soviet Union and all of Europe except Albania, plus the United States and Canada – held a historic summit in Helsinki, Finland, where they signed the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. This document is known as the Helsinki Final Act or the Helsinki Accords. The Conference, known as the CSCE, continued with follow-up meetings and is today institutionalized as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, based in Vienna, Austria. Learn more about the signature of the Helsinki Final Act; the role that the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe played during the Cold War; how the Helsinki Process successfully adapted to the post-Cold War environment of the 1990s; and how today's OSCE can and does contribute to regional security, now and in the future.
press release
Chairman Hastings on Release of 2018 Report on International Religious FreedomTuesday, June 25, 2019
WASHINGTON—Following the release of the 2018 Report on International Religious Freedom by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, a former chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) issued the following statement: "The Helsinki Commission welcomes the release of the annual International Religious Freedom Report. Robust reporting on the full range of human rights—including respect for religious liberties—is critical to the preservation of democratic institutions. "The report details a number of continuing concerns in countries including Hungary and Turkey. In Hungary, government officials have engaged in anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic rhetoric and publicly venerated World War II-era anti-Semites and Hitler allies. Amendments to Hungary's controversial 2011 religion law came into effect in April, but it is not yet clear if the new and more complicated law will end discrimination against the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship and other faiths. In Turkey, long-standing concerns persist about respect for the rights of Alevis and non-Muslim minorities to freely manage their religious activities and internal affairs. "These violations of religious freedom are extremely troubling, especially since Hungary and Turkey—like all participating States of the OSCE—have committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief and preventing intolerance and discrimination based on religious grounds." The annual State Department International Religious Freedom Report details religious freedom in every country. The report includes government policies violating religious belief and practices of individuals and religious groups, and U.S. policies to promote religious freedom around the world.
press release
Chairman Hastings on World Refugee DayThursday, June 20, 2019
WASHINGTON—In honor of World Refugee Day, Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) today issued the following statement: "On World Refugee Day, we recognize those who risk everything—even their lives—in the search for freedom and safety. They have fled their homes in fear, only to face perilous journeys and uncertain futures. "There are more refugees now than at any point since World War II. There are nearly 71 million displaced persons worldwide. Almost 26 million of them are refugees, half of whom are children. "International organizations like the OSCE help ensure that humanitarian assistance and protections, including anti-discrimination measures, are being delivered in accordance with international norms and human rights. "Please join me in commemorating the courage and resilience of the millions of refugees and displaced persons around the world fleeing persecution, war, and violence. Their stories inspire us, and their triumphs have enormously strengthened the nations that have welcomed them."
Partially Protected?Friday, June 14, 2019
The U.S. Helsinki Commission convened an expert briefing on the background, implementation, and legal and political implications of temporary protection for people in the United States and Europe who come from countries of conflict or natural disaster but not qualify for asylum. The discussion explored whether some European Union countries are choosing temporary protection even when asylum claims are credible. Alex T. Johnson, Chief of Staff for the Helsinki Commission, said in his opening remarks, "Chairman Hastings sees [protected status] as a priority, particularly in the United States and in the OSCE region because of the erosion of human rights and democratic institutions that we are seeing now. It's particularly urgent as we look at our own domestic compliance with commitments in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and how we partner with countries who are also exploring issues related to granted protected status for vulnerable communities in their midst." Johnson also noted Chairman Hasting's introduction of H.Con.Res. 5, which expresses support for Haitians residing in the United States with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). In the discussion that followed, Jill Wilson of the Congressional Research Service provided context on TPS and its implementation in the U.S. Wilson reported, "Ten countries are currently covered by TPS, benefitting some 400,000 individuals in the United States. The Trump administration has announced terminations for six of these ten countries on the grounds that the conditions on which the original designations were based no longer exist. These terminations are currently on hold pending court action." Recent efforts by members of the 115th and 116th Congress saw a greater number and variety of TPS-related bills that seek either to expand or restrict TPS and shift the decision-making power from the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the U.S. Congress. Currently, the Secretary of the DHS, in consultation with other key government offices namely the U.S. State Department, has the power to designate a country for temporary protection in periods of six, twelve, or eighteen months based on three categories: armed conflict, natural disaster, or extraordinary circumstances that prevent the safe return of a country's nationals. Marleine Bastien of the Family Action Network Movement shared her expertise on the current political and economic situation in Haiti, following the catastrophic earthquake in 2010 and subsequent natural disasters that resulted in major public health emergencies, about 300,000 displaced people, and severely damaged infrastructure. Despite these continuing poor conditions, Haiti's TPS status is subject to termination. Bastien remarked, "We hope that Congress will take a close look at what's going on in Haiti today…The conditions in Haiti continue to deteriorate. Haiti still qualifies for temporary protected status… TPS is still applicable, not only for the countries that qualify now, but for the countries in the future which may experience natural and political disasters." Without its TPS re-instated, she said, Haiti does not have the capacity to resettle and support the 58,000 Haitians currently living in the U.S. Sui Chung, an attorney with the Immigration Law and Litigation Group in Miami, Florida, and Chair of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) stated that unless legislation like the American Dream and Promise Act, H.R. 6 is passed, TPS recipients remain at risk of being detained or deported. Chung remarked, "Although the federal courts have enjoined the termination of TPS for some countries, these court orders are temporary. If a higher court rules unfavorably, those with TPS would be vulnerable to losing authorization to work and reside in the U.S., and they would be subject to deportation." Chung stated that 94 percent of individuals under TPS are employed, generating about $5.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes, with roughly $25 billion spending power. According to Chung, losing this population could cripple the U.S. economy and harm communities. Catherine Woollard, Secretary General of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, described Europe's decision-making process for protection status as an inconsistent and unfair "asylum lottery" She argued that the lack of fairness and uniformity in granting TPS originates from the selection process, where the decision to grant protection status is left solely to the discretion of the twenty-eight European Union Member States rather than a universal eligibility process. Woollard noted, "Our analysis shows that these different protection statuses have a wide variation when it comes to the rights attached. Key rights that are of interest and necessity for people who are seeking protection vary. If you have refugee status, your residence rights are for a longer duration. For subsidiary protection, less time is granted for residential rights. In some cases, there are very stark differences."
Helsinki Commission Briefing to Focus on Refugee Crisis
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following briefing:
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Russell Senate Office Building
Room 188
Live Webcast: www.facebook.com/HelsinkiCommission
Since 2015, more than 2 million people have traveled north across the Mediterranean Sea, seeking refuge from wars, political repression, famine, and climates of economic and social hopelessness. In 2017 alone, more than 133,000 refugees and migrants have arrived on European shores. At least 11,309 people died or went missing on this perilous sea route since the start of the crisis, including more than 2,655 this year. Using overland routes, more than 3 million registered refugees have reached Turkey, fleeing the Syrian civil war and other desperate circumstances from points further east.
These massive flows of humanity bear with them significant humanitarian, economic, political, and security implications. Such large population movements also leave thousands of people vulnerable to exploitation by human traffickers and other predators.
The briefing brings together international experts and NGO representatives to assess the current humanitarian situation facing these refugees and the root causes of their flight. Speakers will address the response of international organizations, receiving national governments, and civil society. These practitioners and experts will also contribute their recommendations for action from domestic and international actors at all levels, including the United States.
The following experts are scheduled to participate:
- Matthew Reynolds, Regional Representative for the United States and the Caribbean, United Nations High Commission for Refugees
- Luca Dall'Oglio, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration (Washington, DC office)
- Philip Hyldgaard, Executive Director, A21 Campaign
- Jill Marie Gerschutz-Bell, Senior Policy and Legislative Specialist, Catholic Relief Services and on behalf of Caritas Europa


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William Shatner Starfleet Wrath of Khan Jacket for Auction
A Starfleet officer's jacket and undershirt worn by William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk in the second Star Trek movie, The Wrath of Khan, will be sold at Heritage Auction Galleries Beverly Hills (9478 West Olympic Boulevard) as part of a trove of Star Trek-related material in the company's July 17 Signature® Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Auction. It is estimated at $20,000+.
"Of all the Star Trek movies, The Wrath of Khan is easily still the most popular," said Doug Norwine, Director of Music & Entertainment Auctions at Heritage, "and here you have the very officer's jacket that the franchise's most popular character wore in that same film. There can't be many better pieces in the realm of Star Trek collecting than this one."
The pieces were actually worn in multiple Star Trek movies and featured in several spin-offs of the popular series subsequent to its initial usage by Shatner, but there can be no doubt that the most exciting sighting of this particular piece is from Khan. Taken for its whole journey, this jacket and undershirt has indeed seen a great many corners of the Star Trek galaxy.
The Starfleet uniform jacket worn by Shatner as Admiral James Tiberius Kirk was later modified and worn by Leon Russom in Star Trek VI. The jacket's tag is Western Costume Company, with Shatner's name clearly typed into it, and Russom's name handwritten on with black felt tip.
"This costume, so different from the previous design features in the series, was an attempt to change the look and feel of the franchise to match a more nautical atmosphere," said Norwine. "The resulting navel designs would be used in all Star Trek films until Star Trek: First Contact in 1996."
Heritage's July 17 auction also features a Star Trek film series costume duty uniform undershirt worn by Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. The sleeveless shirt sports a Paramount Studio tag labeled, "Spock/Nimoy," and is believed to have been worn in Star Trek films II through VI.
"The Star Trek-themed lots in this sale cover the board," Norwine said. "We have costumes and props used in the original television series, the movie series, Star Trek: Enterprise, and even Star Trek: Voyager."
These other Star Trek highlights include:
DeForest Kelley's Duty Uniform Undershirt with Stunt Pants from the Star Trek film series: Estimate: $3,000+.
DeForest Kelly Star Trek original TV series duty uniform trousers: Estimate: $8,000+
Screen-used Klingon Costume for the Star Trek television franchise: Estimate: $2,000+.
Heritage Auctions, founded by Steve Ivy and Jim Halperin, is the world's third largest auction house, with annual sales more than $600 million, and 500,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com

subset: commoncrawl


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I think job hunting is an evil forced self-debasement of character. The job search involves putting together a resume, which is basically an ultra-condensed version of your life. How presumptuous for a company to consider such a thing when all the glorious details, the joyful nuances of personality that really make you who you are, are omitted? People have such short attention spans these days.
I have a fault line in my basement. Fortunately it runs through about four feet above ground, so when there's a quake along the fault line, nothing cracks open or falls down. There's just a bit of a breeze. I think we could save thousands of lives if we started fault line elevating projects, but do you think we will? Nooooo! An operation like that would cost millions, and our comfy tush politicians would rather pocket the money. I hate that.
You know, some city streets in this country are not safe. It's hard to believe, but street safety is not evenly spread throughout this country. I mean, New York City has tons of cops. The "NYPD," which are blue, are famous across the country for keeping the streets safe. Los Angeles has a police department with a reputation, too: the ever-reliable "LAPD," which can always be counted on to show up in an emergency and calm angry rioters. But take, for example, Miami. Who's ever heard of the MPD or the MIPD or whatever Miami's police department would be called if they had one? Yes, I'm pretty sure they don't even have a police force down there, because I've never heard of it. I've never been to Miami, but I know for a fact that all there is down there are drug smugglers open firing on each other on street corners pretty much all the time. I think Miami would be a bad place to live.
I'm glad I live in the northern hemisphere. Otherwise I'd never know when it's ok to eat cod. In the northern hemisphere, you can go by some handy rule about only eating cod in months with 'r' in it. Or 'y' or 'e' or something. You can't catch and eat them in the other months, because they have worms in them then. That rule doesn't work in the southerm hemisphere, with the seasons reversed and everything, so how do they know? I bet Australians and Argentinians and Antarcticans are constantly trying to eat cod, cutting into it, and saying, "Darn! I never remember when we can eat this stuff!" If I were cod, I think I would periodically migrate from one hemisphere to the other and fool everyone.
People are always down on office jobs, but I think it would be great to work in a Rubix Cubicle. You get to hang out in your own little cubicle, and except for it suddenly swiveling up on its side or even completely upside down, it would be comfortable, safe, and secure. Since the orientation of all the cubes would be constantly changing, annoying bosses and coworkers would have a hard time finding you. It becomes a game, you see, to move your cubicle around in such a way as to keep anyone with actual work away. But they're twisting their own cubicles around to try to get you, so it becomes a multiplayer game of strategy and fast reflexes. If they get to you, too bad, you have to do the work. But the reward for the best players is no work at all. As if that wouldn't be cool enough, you could have all kinds of subgames, like seeing who can get to a group meeting in the fastest time. With a set up like this, boredom at the workplace would be a thing of the past.
I think I'll open a restaurant that only serves food that is hard to eat. Then I'll spend the remainder of my days living in the apartment above it, looking through the one-way mirror that will serve as the restaurant's ceiling, and laughing at all the patrons. I'll serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but only with one slice of bread -- in the middle. And corn on the cob, but with two inches of the "cob" part scooped out of each end. And ice cream bars with no stick and no clean, chocolatey shell coating. And pizza with sauce and cheese on both sides of the crust. There won't be any silverware or napkins in the whole place. Also, the faucets in the bathrooms will spray water really hard in all directions. Some places have already beaten me to that idea.
The degradation of society is so fast and furious these days, small wonder there are so many people that don't know what a delicate word like "milquetoast" means. Is there anything more vulgar than the expression "sucking face"? I mean, is that all people see in the romantic art of kissing these days? "Passionately exchanging each other's very souls" is more like it. Why can't that be the common idiom? It's so much more refined and sensitive. I'd be like, "Hey baby, wanna go upstairs and passionately exchange each other's very souls?" And if I'm lucky, the reply would be, "Whoa, yeah! You give me yours first." And after eighteen years of marriage, she'd be like, "Hey, do you remember which one you've got? Is that your original soul, or is that mine?" And I'd be like, "I don't know. I think mine was the one with the scratch in the corner, but yours was the one with the bit of price tag glue still on it." And she'd be like, "Ok, just so we remember. When I die, I don't want to be stuck with the one that stuffed a half-chewed lemon doughnut down Johnny Wiederman's pants in the third grade."
Fantasy Quest, over on RinkWorks' Adventure Games Live feature (THIS IS NOT PRODUCT PLACEMENT, BECAUSE I AM SAYING SO VERY LOUDLY!), is my idea of a great game, because it portrays a utopian world. I think it's great how you can meet somebody there sitting in the middle of, say, a field, and then you can go way off all over the land four schmillion times, come back, and the guy's still sitting there in the middle of the field. Real life should be like this. I hate hunting people down when they're not where I can find them. The best part, though, is the general store. I want to run a store where I decide what people buy. "Hi," a customer would say to me, "here's ten bucks." And I'd say, "Ok, here's a vat of O-rings." And he'd say, "Darn! I was hoping for the electric lantern! Ok, here's another ten bucks." "Ok, here's four pounds of sausage meat." "Darn!" "By the way, we have a sale on banana nut muffins -- three for a dollar." "Wow, that sounds great! Here's a dollar!" "Ok, here's a roll of electrical tape." "Darn!"
I hate it when I'm driving down the road, smell burnt oil or rubber and wonder, all paranoid, if it's my car or somebody else's. I think tires and motor oil should have custom smells, so we can identify right off whether we should be concerned or not. You start smelling vanilla cream on the highway, you know you're ok, but once the cranberry hits, pull over. No more paranoia. Making these custom smells good smells provides an alternative benefit. Say you're driving by one of those eternally putrescent paper mills: instead of gagging and choking, just speed up to 120 and throw on the hand brake.
There are few more painful head injuries than trying to stand up underneath an open cupboard or freezer door. Things on hinges may give very nicely in horizontal directions, but slam them from underneath, and they are Pillars of Strength and Will Not Be Moved. Obviously this is a problem, and I think you know where I'm going with this. What a great opportunity to market cupboards and freezers with iron pegs sticking out of them! Or little glue packets that burst on contact! Or live electrical wiring! Then when someone really ticks you off, like, you know, using your lane on the highway, you can sneak into his house and ambush all the cupboard doors. After that, it's only a matter of time. Oh, and, also, I think cushioned door edges would be good too, for, you know, like, me.


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Healing occurs if you don't have the urges to pursue your Twin Flameyou're feeling that the purity and intensity of your love. You begin feeling grounded on your energy that you are feeling empowered to handle the darkest corners of your soul with no fear.
Your Environment and How it Affects Your Emotions Your environment is comprised of the things which might include your home, family members, your workplace, friends, and the programs you watch on TV. The next time thatyou're feeling demotivated, pay attention to your surroundings, you'll notice that something is not quite perfect.
Tasks that produce a finished product are hugely beneficial and produces a feeling of accomplishment. Any kind of cooking crafting, gardening or knitting will provide you with a opportunity to work and create something worthy at the end of it. Another activity that had once been solely for kids is now popular. Coloring books are currently being aimed at both adults and kids, and helps the brain.
That's a lie from the local sluts of hell! God has someone for you be patient. I have been there. I thought God could not have given me someone better than who I believed I loved, yet He'd someone more fitting for me personally. Good sex dating sites Black Hills on God. Do not rush and end up getting a demon who appears to be an angel in disguise.
All Guilt isn't the exact same Black Hills local sluts to fuck's compare two types of guilt: the hinge online dating statistic Black Hills of free- floating guilt which appears to live within each of us and proper guilt. Guilt is the feeling that comes when you do something feel awful about it and then to hurt someone or do something wrong. You have divided among values or your standards. It is very suitable to feel bad about damaging yourself or hurting somebody else when a love affair ends.
Okay, there is no doubt that she is your girlfriend, but you ought to reprogram your local butt sluts Grainger to live a relationship, considering this! She's free to do and emily kawano dating apps anything she desires( while respecting you, of local drug sluts Black Hills YT) .
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However, please bear in mind that it is indeed bad manners to part and simply stop answering mails without any information. It would be the exact same thing as getting your power cut off with no notice from the electric company. Some people do that since they don't local sluts to offend the other man, but these callousness is worse.
Getting women drawn to you and in public speaking, then this is for you if you want the dirty truth about how to use eye contact to develop your confidence as a guy- - which can assist you in relationship of the bad boys /real men.
We meet at a Starbucks. I get there last, so that I walk in and scan the tables. As my eyes reach him he smiles and I approach the table. He stands and shakes my hand, we exchange a few pleasantries about the trip to traffic requirements and Starbucks, and head up to the counter to place our order.
There are two variations of the Craigslist Personals scam. One version functions in a way that is much like the" catfish" Black Hills YT amateur fatty hookers. There is a real person behind the advertisement but that person is not who they appear to be.
Most often than not, directions are supplied on the homepage to where they need to go to be able to avail of this service of the dating best country for prostitutes that will guide first- time customers. Keep in mind that most sites aren't free online dating sites have monthly or yearly charges for their services so take care to not join too many at one time.
For example, I see an elderly couple holding hands romantic, and when I am walking at the shore, it puts a massive smile on my head. Since they becoming a beacon of and are currently representing that eros love love itself. I feel a feeling of pleasure and gratitude that this bunch is showing love. The more you welcome the practice of loving in all areas of your own life, the increased likelihood that the love you are searching for will Black Hills YT local free sluts up as well. Like when you want a dream car, It's, and you see it everywhere. The same holds for love, if you genuinely want love in your life, start looking for it. Also, using every doorway /opportunity to tumblr casual sex shared all of the kinds of love we spoke about. Except eros love needs complete consent for all those of my literal readers who just climbed up out of the chair saying, " Oh Yeah! " This isn't about turning we're looking for that love that lasts a life! You would like to go into it local sluts xxx Black Hills that it is not a chance to join, when you walk into a scenario, but it is also an opportunity to propel you into a better location. When it's just, or with someone in general. Our goal here is to begin expressing love inviting.
Bear in mind, there are hundreds of folks out there waiting for you to find them- - and vice versa. If they don't know where to look, but your love can not find you. Many Relationships Do Workout There are some stats for successes with online dating.
One of the drawbacks of this internet site is that there are extremely couple of methods to search with various individuals that include favorites, people that have actually viewed you, match scores and also activity status. You will not be able to consider account standards or images as a way of ironing out different customers and you can just connect or view users that match your profile.
These include protein- rich foods such as nuts, cheese, snapchat sluts local Douglas, and Black Hills YT, and complex carbohydrates like whole grains. Additional serotonin- boosting foods contain fresh fruits as well as veggies such as ginger, root crops, celery, and carrots. All of these are high in vitamin B, which is essential for serotonin levels.
Offer praise Giving a compliment does not always need to be about the physical look or the profile image. As a matter of fact, you ought to stay clear of saying things like' you look warm in yourpicture' or' you have the longest legs' or anything related to physical look. You will just stumble upon as a shallow individual that is more curious about looks instead of individuality. Instead, you should discuss the points that are in the profile like' you have great preference inmusic' or' I enjoy how you explain your favored movie scenes. ' Check for misspellings One of the largest turn- offs in on- line dating is inaccurate spelling. You require to make sure that words in your very first message are properly Black Hills Yukon to. Please use' your' and also' you're' effectively. Be mindful of your' their', ' there', and' they're' because you will appear like a Black Hills Yukon local sluts take cream pies schooler who is still trying to master grammar as well as punctuation. You need to additionally prevent utilizing a great deal of jargons and also conversation languages particularly if you are a grownup who needs to be past all these foolish points.
We don't bring what we want, we attract what we are, when it comes to attracting the opposite sex. The power you put out in the world is. Whoever resonates with the presence you put out is what you get.
But this does not indicate that we must permit our emotions to control us. So that they work for us rather than against us, We're capable of taking control. For instance, let's say you are in a tense meeting with your boss; he is the kind of boss who won't hesitate to throw his employees when he feels the need and domineering and is condescending. During the meeting, your supervisor proceeds to start a scathing attack against you and the staff. You've done nothing wrong; you have every right to be mad in actuality, everyone except him continues to be praising your performance. You can sense the anger in the pit of your stomach climbing up to the inabilityto have casual sex of your tongue ready to tell your boss just what you think about him. But you simply take a deep breath, calm down yourself, and then remind yourself that using an outburst isn't going to solve anything. In this case anger is not going to benefit you. It is only going to give him more ammunition, if your boss has a vendetta against you. Instead, you think about what he has said and take any valid points and utilize them to yourself and your team. This is a positive instance of emotional self- regulation.
Quite different from me- - who will eliminate six options based on household backgrounds and preferences- - now standing here like WTF Zack, since I only dated Zack, therefore it has to work out with Zack. And Zack ghosts me and the other Black Hills Yukon online dating tips girls this week he took on dates. He slept with them all and then went out for nachos.
No way! Was what I nearly said. Sixty years of being a Black Hills YT local sluts fucked in all holes woman that was polite took over, though. I told him that I did not feel we had a relationship connection, I was going to take to heart his advice not to perform electronic dating anymore, because I believed him when he said it may be harmful.
Know Yourself! You can basically start to establish up your very own account as soon as you have actually picked a dating site, as well as when you already know whatyou're looking for in a guy. The globe of online dating opens many opportunities for you, as well as it can likewise present you to new people that you would not have actually fulfilled in any other location or else. Nonetheless, prior to you proceed and also explore, it is also vital that you review one essential singles sex dating Black Hills YT: recognizing yourself. Try to review what you like and you don't such as, your interest and leisure activities, your values and your weak points. Knowing who you are and also maintaining that information in mind will make sure that you locate what you are certainly trying to find, as well as get the partnership you want from a guy that is seeking someone much like you. A whole lot of women fall short at this, transforming to something that they are not just to keep a warm person thinking about you. But in reality, all you would certainly be doing is losing both of your time by not being truthful to every other. Keep in mind that in every android dating apps best is searching for Black Hills view local sluts no sign up that fits their requirements, so it's constantly important to maintain it genuine on each and every single discussion.
Among the most important components to internet dating is" The Profile. " There is A powerful profile essential. The profile is exactly what people read to determine if they're considering building a connection. This is where you are able to outshine your competition. This is where you could tell your own story, razzle dazzle your date and set yourself apart from of your contenders.
This suggests that the patternyou're currently setting by essentially and local ass sluts Carp out considering yourself lucky to be around her is currently sending the erroneous signals to. You're currently creating her comfortable around you.
Cleavage and epidermis? If you are fit and over displaying the contours of your body is 1way to get attention. The fuck buddy videod is: what kind of attention? This is going to depend on the way you pose and how you are dressed. Your shape will be a clear as posing in a low- cut dress ifyou're on a bike in a tight cycling outfit.


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Excel - module 3 : Conditional formatting
Microsoft Excel offers an incredibly varied number of functions and features that range from basic to highly specialised. Our different courses are aimed at helping you discover each of its secrets. In this course you learn how to format a range of cells based upon certain criteria.
There is now a good opportunity to have in Company training :)
- Training type
- Duration of training
0.5 day
- Available languagesEN
- Prerequisite
- Training code
What do you learn?
- You know how to create, apply and remove different elements of conditional formatting in a few quick clicks;
- You add data to a cell and it immediately appears with the formatting you want;
- You make the most important information in your worksheets stand out, ready to be analysed in a glance.
You can find full details of the programme consisting of 14 Excel modules on our website.
Target group
You want to improve your knowledge or ability in Excel.
Required prior knowledge
Depending on the module.
Overview of the programme
- Introduction to conditional formatting;
- Conditionally format a selection using a fill colour;
- Conditional formatting for a Top 10;
- Conditional formatting using data bars;
- Conditional formatting using colour scales;
- Conditional formatting using icon sets;
- Conditional formatting based on a formula;
- Conditional formatting in a pivot table;
- Deleting conditional formatting;
- Priority rules for conditional formatting;
- Avoiding overload;
- Exercises.