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About the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is an independent commission of the U.S. Federal Government. For over 45 years, the Commission has monitored compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advanced comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental, and military cooperation in the 57-nation OSCE region.

  • Our Structure: Learn more about the work of the Helsinki Commission, along with our leadership, Commissioners, and staff.
  • Our History: The Helsinki Commission was founded in 1976 to strengthen the legitimacy of human rights monitoring; to defend those persecuted for acting on their rights and freedoms; to ensure that violations of Helsinki provisions were given full consideration in U.S. foreign policy; and to gain international acceptance of human rights violations as a legitimate subject for one country to raise with another.
  • The Helsinki Process and the OSCE: On August 1, 1975, the leaders of the original 35 participating States gathered in Helsinki and signed the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Accords. The Final Act is not a treaty, but rather a politically binding agreement that contains a broad range of measures designed to enhance security and cooperation in the region extending from Vancouver to Vladivostok.
  • Join Our Team: Find out how you can contribute to the success of the Helsinki Commission and the world’s largest regional security organization.