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U.S. Helsinki Commission
@helsinkicomm.bsky.social
The U.S. Helsinki Commission monitors human rights and international cooperation in the 57 countries of the OSCE. Repost ≠ endorsement.
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Our podcast is back! The first episode of the Transatlantic will premiere next Tuesday.

Join host Bakhti Nishanov as he talks to the people behind the debates & developments shaping the struggle for freedom & security in the United States, Europe, Central Asia & around the world. (1/2)
Our podcast is back! The first episode of the Transatlantic will premiere next Tuesday.

Join host Bakhti Nishanov as he talks to the people behind the debates & developments shaping the struggle for freedom & security in the United States, Europe, Central Asia & around the world. (1/2)
September 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
History demonstrates the destructive impact of ignoring rising antisemitism.

A society’s collective and unequivocal rejection of antisemitism, the world’s oldest conspiracy theory, demonstrates its capacity to defend the values that underpin democracies.
September 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by U.S. Helsinki Commission
Always a pleasure to see @repcohen.bsky.social, ranking member of @www.csce.gov and a true leader on defending human rights and democracy across the globe. In these times, voices like his are indispensable.
September 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Today, Senator Wicker and @shaheen.senate.gov introduced the bipartisan Eastern Flank Strategic Partnership Act of 2025, legislation that establishes it as U.S. policy to prioritize security cooperation with NATO’s Eastern Flank allies. (1/2)
September 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by U.S. Helsinki Commission
With Senator Sheldon @whitehouse.senate.gov, ranking member of @www.csce.gov and a strong voice in support of democracy and human rights around the world. An engaging and productive conversation, as always.
September 18, 2025 at 8:57 PM
HEARING TODAY—From Partner to Problem: Georgia’s Anti-American Turn
📅September 10
🕑2:30pm
🏛️Rayburn 2358-C
Join us today for a discussion about the global consequences of Georgia’s slide into authoritarianism. Stream live here: youtube.com/live/-TlMiyH...
September 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by U.S. Helsinki Commission
Last week, Kate Watters delivered remarks at the @www.csce.gov’s briefing on the impact on Central Asia of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Watters focussed on Russia’s sanction-evading efforts and its effect on the 🛢️ energy sector and the 🌿 environment in Central Asia. youtube.com/shorts/5Um9I...
The Impact on Central Asia of Russia's War on Ukraine | U.S. Helsinki Commission
YouTube video by CrudeAccountability
youtube.com
September 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
UPCOMING BRIEFING—The Impact on Central Asia of Russia’s War on Ukraine: Opportunities for U.S. Engagement
📅September 4
🕑2pm
🏛️Rayburn 2200
Join our expert panel for a discussion about how Russia's war on Ukraine has shifted political & economic dynamics in Central Asia. (1/2)
September 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by U.S. Helsinki Commission
NEW: RU law enforcement and the MoD may have coerced at least 20,000 Central Asian migrants to fight in Ukraine within the Russian military.

Russian Force Generation and Technological Adaptations Update, August 13, 2025: isw.pub/ForceGenUpda...

Other Key Takeaways ⬇️ 🧵 (1/7)
August 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by U.S. Helsinki Commission
Last week marked the 17th anniversary of Moscow’s illegal invasion and annexation of Georgian territory, which internally displaced tens of thousands of people.

(1/3)
On this day in 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Russia continues to illegally occupy 20% of Georgia's territory and works to undermine Georgia's democracy and independence.
August 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
On this day in 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Russia continues to illegally occupy 20% of Georgia's territory and works to undermine Georgia's democracy and independence.
August 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by U.S. Helsinki Commission
The Russian army struck Lozova in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, killing one person and injuring others in what the local mayor called the “most massive attack since the beginning of the war.”
Russia pounds important logistics hub in Kharkiv with drones
Two children were among the injured in Russia’s attack, which killed a mechanic at the railway station.
ow.ly
August 5, 2025 at 9:48 AM
As Putin wages war on Ukraine, he intensifies his repression of the Russian people. Banning private messaging apps & forcing Russians to use MAX will increase surveillance while further limiting their access to information about the outside world.
Russia is pushing a “super app” messenger for all citizens — including so it can ban WhatsApp and reduce reliance on Telegram. What could possibly go wrong?

My 5-minute breakdown on Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Putin's MAX app could snoop on Russians - ABC listen
With almost 100 million users, WhatsApp is Russia's most popular messaging service. But that's about to change. The service - which is owned by Facebook's parent company Meta is widely expected to be...
www.abc.net.au
August 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM
On August 1, 1975, 35 countries signed the Helsinki Final Act, enshrining respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity & human rights as a basis for relations among states. Today, bipartisan Commission leadership reaffirmed their commitment to these principles. 🧵(1/3)
August 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Russia continues to launch combined missile and drone attacks on mostly civilian targets in Ukraine in order to terrorize the civilian population. 🧵 (1/2)
July 29, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by U.S. Helsinki Commission
ICYMI: Carnegie’s @massdara.bsky.social testified last week for @www.csce.gov‬ on how the U.S. can help Ukraine strengthen its air defenses.

Watch the full briefing – including Dara’s testimony – here: www.youtube.com/live/Rtb3YVp...

Photo credits: Helsinki Commission/House Creative Services.
July 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Join us in an hour or stream live here: youtube.com/live/Rtb3YVp...
July 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Georgian Dream is attempting to hide their corruption and crimes against the Georgian people by cracking down on free press. They have tried to silence journalist Mzia Amaglobeli who has been in pre-trial detention since January on politically motivated charges. 🧵(1/2)
July 21, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Georgian Dream welcomes Russia and other destabilizing threats to the region with open arms while dragging the Georgian people away from Euro-Atlantic integration and democracy
cnn.com/2025/07/16/e...
As democracy in Georgia collapses, Russia, China and Iran see an opening | CNN
A decade ago, Georgia was the poster child of post-Soviet countries on their way to democracy and freedom. US lawmakers hope a bill will help combat democratic backsliding.
cnn.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Russia has scaled up production of drones & missiles, using this arsenal to attack Ukrainian cities, killing more civilians in June than it has in any month over the past 3 years.

Join us for a briefing on how the U.S. & allies can support Ukraine in halting this terror. (1/2)
July 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
UPCOMING BRIEFING—Intercepting Terror: Strengthening Ukrainian Air Defense
📅July 24
🕑2pm
🏛️Cannon 210

Join our expert panel to discuss challenges Ukraine faces in defending against Russia's aerial attacks on cities and what allies can do to help stop the nightly assaults.
July 18, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Reposted by U.S. Helsinki Commission
"Illiberal democracies often infringe on religious freedom in more subtle ways."
July 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Religious freedom is essential to democratic society, animates the American founding & has long been a pillar of U.S. foreign policy.

Join us Wednesday for a briefing discussing how to reinvigorate U.S. policy to meet the challenge of global religious persecution. (1/2)
July 14, 2025 at 2:06 PM
UPCOMING BRIEFING—From Persecution to Protection: Strategies to Defend Freedom of Religion
📅July 16
🕑2pm
🏛️Longworth 1324
Join us for a briefing with @knoxthames.bsky.social discussing how to reinvigorate the U.S. approach to combatting religious persecution.
July 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Georgian Dream is moving aggressively to consolidate power, silencing civil society and cracking down on political opposition by arresting and sentencing pro-democracy leaders on politically motivated charges. (1/2)
June 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM