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SHANNON SIMRELL, SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR

Shannon Simrell was appointed to the staff of the U.S. Helsinki Commission on September 2, 2019. She served as the commission’s representative to the United States Mission to the OSCE (USOSCE) until August 2023 where she ensured close cooperation between the commission and the mission, lead USOSCE’s engagement with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, on civil society engagement, and on youth. Currently, she leads the commission’s work to address and counter antisemitism and covers Western Europe and the work of OSCE’s economic and environmental dimension.

Between 2008 and 2018, Shannon recruited, deployed, and provided ongoing support to more than 2,300 Americans seconded to nearly 100 OSCE permanent, special, and election observation missions on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. She has conducted dozens of site visits to OSCE field missions and has been deployed as an OSCE election observer in Kosovo, Georgia,  North Macedonia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

As a U.S. secondee to the OSCE Mission to Kosovo between 2006 and 2008, Shannon oversaw democratization programs and eventually served as the acting deputy director of the Regional Center in Gjilan/Gnjilane and its 110 staff.  She began her engagement with the region in the 1990s when she developed democratization and environmental programs for civil society leaders from Russia and Central and Eastern Europe.

Shannon holds a dual B.A. in philosophy and French language from the University of Scranton and studied for one year in France.  She also earned a M.A. in international education from the School for International Training in Vermont.

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In the News

Bipartisan House members push Biden to allow Poland ...

Oct 30, 2024

In the News

US Weighs NATO Ally’s Offer To Shoot Down Russ...

Nov 01, 2024

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In the News

Bipartisan report urges rethink of America’s Russia ...

Sep 28, 2024

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In the News

Wilson Talks Russia Strategy

Oct 02, 2024

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Press Releases

Chairman Wilson Issues Statement on Government Raids...

Oct 25, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, US Helsinki Commission Chairman Joe Wilson (SC-02), issued the following statement regarding the government raids on the homes of the two Tbilisi, Georgia-based researchers with the US-based Atlantic Council: “It […]

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Press Releases

Senator Roger Wicker Appointed Chairman of the U.S. ...

Feb 12, 2025

WASHINGTON—The Presiding Officer, on behalf of the Vice President, last week announced the appointment of U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., as chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in […]

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In the News

Congressman Steve Cohen: ‘Ivanishvili is steer...

Jan 13, 2025

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Helsinki Commission Leaders Reintroduce MEGOBARI Act...

Jan 04, 2025

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Bipartisan lawmakers renew push for legislation supp...

Jan 03, 2025

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In the News

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe...

Jan 01, 2025

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In the News

Helsinki Commission Report on the war against NATO f...

Dec 31, 2024

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Press Releases

NEW REPORT—Spotlight on the Shadow War: Inside Russi...

Dec 12, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Helsinki Commission staff published a new report entitled, “Spotlight on the Shadow War: Inside Russia’s Attacks on NATO Territory.” Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, […]

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Publications

Spotlight on the Shadow War: Inside Russia’s A...

Dec 12, 2024

Executive Summary: Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian sabotage campaigns across North America and Europe have accelerated. Calculated campaigns of hybrid warfare show that Russia’s antagonistic […]

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Statements

Chairman Wilson on the 30th Anniversary of the Budap...

Dec 05, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement on the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum: “Thirty years ago, Ukraine, the United […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – The Role of Belarus in Russia’s Crimes

Dec 05, 2024

Rayburn House Office Building 2118 Stream live here   Under the 30-year dictatorship of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Belarus has become one of the most isolated and dangerous countries in Europe. Lukashenka […]

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Hearings

The Role of Belarus in Russia’s Crimes

Dec 05, 2024

Under the 30-year dictatorship of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Belarus has become one of the most isolated and dangerous countries in Europe. Lukashenka and his regime have destroyed and uprooted many lives—jailing […]

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Press Releases

Chairman Wilson and Ranking Member Cohen Condemn Rus...

Dec 05, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement condemning Russia’s malign interference in the Romanian presidential election, the second round of which is scheduled […]

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