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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

  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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]