Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 1.djvu/888

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106 STAT. 856 PUBLIC LAW 102-333—AUG. 4, 1992 Whereas the participating States recognize that "democratic government is based on the will of the people, expressed regularly through free and fair elections; and democracy has as its foundation respect for the person and the rule of law; and democracy is the best safeguard of freedom of expression, tolerance of all groups of society, and equsility of opportunity for each person"; Whereas on November 21, 1990, the heads of State or government from the signatory States signed the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, a docimient which has added clarity and precision to the obligations undertaken by the participating States; Whereas the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe has made major contributions to the positive developments in Europe, including greater respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals and groups; Whereas the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe provides an excellent frsunework for the further development of genuine security and cooperation among the participating States; and Whereas, despite significant improvements, all participating States have not yet fully implemented their obligations xinder the Helsinki accords: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That— (1) August 1, 1992, the seventeenth anniversary of the signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (hereinafter referred to as the "Helsinki accords") is designated as "Helsinki Human Rights Day"; (2) the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation reasserting the American commitment to ftill implementation of the human rights and hiunanitarian provisions of the Helsinki accords, urging all signatory States to abide by their obligations under the Helsinki accords, and encouraging the people of the United States to join the President and Congress in observance of Helsinki Human Rights Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities; (3) the Rresident is further requested to continue his efforts to achieve full implementation of the human rights and humanitarian provisions of the Helsinki accords by raising the issue of noncompliance on the part of any signatory State which may be in violation; (4) the President is further requested to convey to all signatories of the Helsinki accords that respect for hirnian rights and fundamental freedoms continues to be a vital element of further progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and