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Representative Alcee L. Hastings

Representative Alcee L. Hastings is the Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission. Chairman Hastings joined the commission in 2001, and in 2007, he became the first African American to chair the Commission. Chairman Hastings is the only American to have ever served as President of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), and is the former Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs of the PA.

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Press Releases

Assistant Secretary Dafna Rand Welcomes Her Appointm...

Oct 02, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, Dr. Dafna H. Rand, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor made the below statement following her appointment to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission: “I am deeply honored to serve as a White House-appointed Helsinki Commissioner. Respect for human rights and dignity […]

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission Chairman Joe Wilson Announces St...

Sep 30, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Helsinki Commission staff published a new report entitled “Contesting Russia: Preparing for the Long-Term Russian Threat.” The report highlights the need for a durable and comprehensive strategy to contest Russia as it continues to act as an imperial power—threatening its neighbors, the United States, and the democratic world. Focusing on the OSCE […]

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Publications

Contesting Russia: Preparing for the Long-Term Russi...

Sep 30, 2024

Executive Summary: Russia poses a serious and persistent threat to its neighbors, the United States, and the democratic world. Even if the country’s current regime were to be replaced today, Russia would still face systemic obstacles to becoming a free and democratic state. Until Russia can reckon with its imperial history and present, cease using […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – Russia’s Shadow War on NATO

Sep 24, 2024

Cannon House Office Building, Room 210 Stream live here Since the outset of Russia’s genocidal invasion of Ukraine, the United States and NATO have sought to avoid direct confrontation with Russia by conditioning Ukraine’s use of military aid, including severely restricting their use of long-range weapons inside of Russia. However, Russia is already engaged in […]

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Hearings

Russia’s Shadow War on NATO

Sep 24, 2024

Cannon House Office Building, Room 210 Since the outset of Russia’s genocidal invasion of Ukraine, the United States and NATO have sought to avoid direct confrontation with Russia by conditioning Ukraine’s use of military aid, including severely restricting their use of long-range weapons inside of Russia. However, Russia is already engaged in a shadow war […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – Russia’s Imperial Identity

Sep 18, 2024

2358-C Rayburn House Office Building Stream live here Russia’s war of territorial conquest and genocide in Ukraine is rooted in years of unrestrained authoritarianism and imperialism. The scale of Russia’s physical brutality and the rhetoric perpetuating it brings the imperial nature of both contemporary and historical Russia into stark relief. Unlike European colonial empires which […]

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Hearings

Russia’s Imperial Identity

Sep 18, 2024

Russia’s war of territorial conquest and genocide in Ukraine is rooted in years of unrestrained authoritarianism and imperialism. The scale of Russia’s physical brutality and the rhetoric perpetuating it brings the imperial nature of both contemporary and historical Russia into stark relief. Unlike European colonial empires which were forced to relinquish territory and atone for […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – Supporting Armenia’s Democracy and Western...

Sep 10, 2024

Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 419 Stream live here In July, bipartisan members of the Helsinki Commission leadership from the House and Senate and other senior members of Congress visited Armenia to observe for themselves the fruits of Armenia’s democratic and increasingly pro-West orientation. Members observed Armenia’s precarious strategic situation, but also its profound resilience, democratic […]

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Hearings

Supporting Armenia’s Democracy and Western Future

Sep 10, 2024

  In July, bipartisan members of the Helsinki Commission leadership from the House and Senate and other senior members of Congress visited Armenia to observe for themselves the fruits of Armenia’s democratic and increasingly pro-West orientation. Members observed Armenia’s precarious strategic situation, but also its profound resilience, democratic example in the region, and sociopolitical consensus in […]

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Cohen Calls on Lu...

Sep 04, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09), OSCE PA Special Representative on Political Prisoners, called on Alyaksandr Lukashenka to provide proof of life for Mikalai Statkevich and release him immediately. Mr. Statkevich is a Belarusian politician and former presidential candidate who has been wrongfully detained as a political prisoner since 2020 and held […]

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Statements

Helsinki Commission House Leadership Statement on Uk...

Aug 15, 2024

Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Ranking Member Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement about Ukraine’s advance into Russia’s Kursk region: “Ukraine’s offensive has been an exceptional demonstration of courage and ingenuity in service of stopping Russia’s genocidal campaign against Ukrainians. For two and a half years, Ukrainians have defended […]

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Press Releases

U.S. Helsinki Commissioners Welcome Release of Unjus...

Aug 01, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Co-Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin (MD), Ranking Member Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) celebrated the release of several individuals who were unjustly detained in Russia, including former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, and Russian opposition […]

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