US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is an independent United States government agency based in Washington, D.C. The agency employs 21 individuals. The Commission monitors and encourages compliance with the Helsinki Final Act and other Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) commitments. Members of the Commission, comprised of representatives from the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce, contribute to the formulation and execution of U.S. policy on the OSCE. This includes participation in U.S. Delegations to OSCE meetings and engagement with parliamentarians, government officials, non-governmental organizations, and private individuals from other OSCE participating States. The Commission actively engages in research and analysis, convening public hearings and briefings with expert witnesses on OSCE-related issues. They produce public reports on OSCE commitment implementation in participating States. In addition, the Commission organizes official delegations to participating States and OSCE meetings to directly assess democratic, economic, security, and human rights developments. Individuals interested in learning more about the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe can visit their website at csce.gov.