The Helsinki Commission has long supported racial justice in the United States and worldwide through its commitment to champion the tenets of the Helsinki Final Act, which states “. . . for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.”
The commission promotes understanding of critical issues including minority rights, anti-Semitism, discrimination against Roma, and racism through hearings, briefings, events, legislation, and other initiatives. In 2020, the commission launched a series entitled “Human Rights at Home” that gathered the testimony of subject matter experts through public hearings on the current human rights situation in the United States and the U.S. commitment to adhere to its promises as an OSCE participating State.
Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) and other commissioners including the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance Senator Ben Cardin regularly introduce and support legislation addressing diversity, inclusion, and racial justice issues in the United States and abroad. For example, the National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019 requires national security agencies to publicly report diversity and inclusion efforts; the African Descent Affairs Act of 2019 establishes a “U.S. strategy to protect and promote the human rights of people of African descent worldwide;” and the LITE Act strengthens partnerships with U.S. allies, protects democratic institutions, and supports transatlantic leadership.
Through statements, articles, reports, and podcasts, the commission explores and comments on discrimination, intolerance, and racial justice. The commission also enlists and engages with diverse leaders across the OSCE region through initiatives like the Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference (TMPLC) and Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network (TILN).
- Hearings, Briefings, and Events
- Legislative Initiatives
- Articles and Reports
- Statements and Speeches
- Political Participation and Leadership
- “Helsinki on the Hill” Podcast Series
- In the News
Hearings, Briefings, and Events
Hearings
- 2020
- 2019
- 2012
- 2008
- Racism in the 21st Century: Understanding Global Challenges and Implementing Solutions
- The State of (In)visible Black Europe: Race, Rights, and Politics
- Human Rights, Civil Society, and Democratic Governance in Russia: Current Situation and Prospects for the Future
- The Challenges to Minority Communities in Kosovo
- 2007
- 2002
- 2000
- 1998
Briefings
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2014
- 2013
- 2010
- 2009
- 2007
Events
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2012
- 2009
Legislative Initiatives
- 2021
- Chairman Hastings Introduces Federal Jobs Act to Increase Diversity, Ensure Access to Federal Jobs for All Americans
- Chairman Hastings Introduces Initiatives to Promote Rights and Recognize Achievements of People of African Descent
- Chairman Hastings Introduces LITE Act to Foster Shared Values, Restore Faith in Democratic Institutions on Both Sides of the Atlantic
- 2020
- Chairman Hastings, Helsinki Commissioners Moore, Cleaver, and Veasey Lead Call for Comprehensive Action to Address Anti-Black Racism Abroad
- Chairman Hastings Introduces LITE Act to Strengthen Ties with U.S. Allies, Support Visionary Leadership on Both Sides of the Atlantic (H.R. 6239)
- Chairman Hastings Introduces Bill to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce (H.R. 6240)
- 2019
- Chairman Hastings Introduces Bill to Protect and Promote Rights of People of African Descent Worldwide (H.R. 1877)
- Chairman Hastings Recognizes Black European Fight for Inclusion (H.R. 256)
- National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019 (S. 497)
- Hastings, Wicker, Watkins, and Cardin Introduce Resolutions Celebrating Romani American Heritage (H.R. 292 and S. 141)
Articles, Reports, and News
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network 2017 Workshop
- Commissioner and Special Representative Ben Cardin Counters Anti-Semitism and Promotes Diversity
- Report of U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, OSCE PA Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism and Intolerance, 2017 Winter Meeting
- Romani Political Participation Key to Change
- 2014
- 2012
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- Report on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Review of the US and Seventh Annual Meeting of the UN Working Group on People of African Descent
- Racism and Xenophobia: The Role of Governments in Addressing Continuing Challenges
- Italian Fingerprinting Targeting Romani Communities Triggers Protests; OSCE Pledges Fact-Finding
- Commission Staff Participates in Conference on Roma; Greece Slated to Serve as OSCE Chair in 2009
- Iraq Refugee Crisis: The Calm Before the Storm?
- 2007
- 2006
- 1996
Statements and Speeches
- 2020
- Respecting Human Rights and Maintaining Democratic Control During States of Emergency
- Statement at the Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Bureau
- Chairman Hastings, Rep. Meeks Issue Statement on Foreign Affairs Funding for Diversity and Global Anti-Racism Programs
- Chairman Hastings Marks International Roma Day, Notes Consequences of Systemic Racism Exposed by Pandemic
- 2019
- 2015
- 2014
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- Helsinki Commissioners Condemn Violence Against Roma
- U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Cardin and Co-Chairman Hastings Condemn Turkish Government Destruction of nearly 1,000-year-old Roma Neighborhood
- Helsinki Commission Applauds Unveiling of Romania Holocaust Monument
- Slovak Romani Sterilization Victims Win Damages
- U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Cardin and Co-Chairman Hastings Release Statement on Plight of Roma
- 2008
- 2007
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
Political Participation and Leadership
- Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference (TMPLC)
- Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference Report 2019
- Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference Report 2018
- Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference Report 2017
- Legislators Roundtable “Equity and Inclusion Policies for a Changing World” 2016
- Second Annual Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference Report 2011
- Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference Report 2010
- Black European Summit: Transatlantic Dialogue on Political Inclusion 2009
- Black European Summitt Report 2009
- Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network (TILN)
- Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network Workshop 2019
- TILN Leading Through Change 2019
- Transatlantic Inclusive Leaders Network Workshop 2018
- TILN Stregthening Our Democracies Through Inclusive Leadership 2018
- Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network (TILN) Workshop 2017
- #MovetheCouch: Transatlantic Leaders Convene in Brussels 2017
- Five Years of the Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network 2016
- TILN Fifth Anniversary: Celebrating Five Years and Looking Toward the Future
- TILN Workshop 2015
- TILN Workshop 2014
- TILN Workshop 2012-2013
- TILN Conference U.S. State Department Remarks 2012
- OSCE/ODHIR
- GMF/DOD