Public Law 98–58

Joint Resolution

To designate August 1, 1983, as “Helsinki Human Rights Day”.

Whereas August 1, 1983, will be the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (hereafter in this preamble referred to as the “Helsinki accords”);

Whereas the Helsinki accords express the desire of the participating states to “respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion”;

Whereas the Helsinki accords also express the commitment of the participating states to “facilitate freer movement and contacts, individually and collectively, whether privately or officially, among persons, institutions, and organizations of the participating states, and to contribute to the solution of the humanitarian problems that arise in that connection”;

Whereas the Helsinki accords specify that the participating states will “deal in a positive and humanitarian spirit with the applications of persons who wish to be reunited with members of their family” and will “deal with applications in this field as expeditiously as possible”;

Whereas the Helsinki accords also state that the participating states will facilitate travel by citizens of such states for both personal and professional reasons and that for this purpose such states will simplify exit and entry procedures;

Whereas the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in agreeing to the Helsinki accords, has acknowledged an adherence to the principles of freedom and to the basic human rights of citizens to emigrate, to be reunited with their families, and to enjoy at least minimal governmental respect for their individuality and human worth;

Whereas the Soviet Government has not fulfilled its commitment to the Helsinki accords by denying individuals inherent rights to freedom of religion, thought, conscience, and emigration;

Whereas the governments of the Soviet Union and its satellites have increased the difficulties faced by citizens who wish to reunite with family members in other countries, resulting in a drastic decline in recent emigration figures;

Whereas Jews, Ukrainians, Balts, Byelorussians, Armenians, Georgians, and members of other nationalities in the Soviet Union are persecuted and often imprisoned for attempts to celebrate their national heritage, to practice their religion, to express freely their opinions, to emigrate, or to monitor Soviet Government compliance with the provisions of the Helsinki accords;

Whereas the satellite nations of the Soviet Union have increased repression against labor union members, peace activists, religious and political dissenters, and others desiring to emigrate; and

Whereas the denial of fundamental rights by the Soviet Government is a threat to peace throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Approved July 25, 1983.