I am pleased to introduce today with many of my colleagues a joint resolution that authorizes and requests the President of the United States to designate August 1. 1986. as "Helsinki Human Rights Day." Eleven years ago. on August 1. 1975. representatives from 35 countries joined together in signing the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. often referred to as the Helsinki accords. In agreeing to the Helsinki accords. the signatory nations have acknowledged their adherence to the principles of freedom. Not. perhaps. to the sophisticated modes of parliamentary democracy. but to the basic rights of citizens to emigrate. to be reunited with their families and to enjoy at least the minimal respect of their government of their individuality and personal worth. Unfortunately. several signatory nations have not adhered to the human rights and humanitarian standards of this agreement. The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Keywords matched
emigrate