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New Chair of US Helsinki Commission Appointed; OSCE Envoy Criticizes Kyrgyz Religion Law

By Howard M. Friedman

U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) has been appointed Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) for the next two years. Cardin has been a member of the Commission since 1993. A press release from Sen. Cardin's office expresses appreciation to Majority Leader Harry Reid for selecting him. It is expected that outgoing Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), will be appointed Commission Co-Chairman for 2009-11 by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Helsinki Commission is charged with monitoring compliance by OSCE members with the Helsinki Final Act that commits its 56 signatories to respect human rights, democracy and the rule of law. A portion of that document protects freedom of conscience and religion in the signatory states.

Meanwhile, last Thursday Kyle Scott, charge d'affairs at the U.S. mission to the OSCE, issued statements from the new Obama administration on human rights issues in five countries of the former Soviet Union. According to America.gov, one of the statements criticized the new Kyrgyzstan Religion Law, saying: "the law as promulgated could result in diminished religious freedom and tolerance in the Kyrgyz Republic...." (See prior related posting.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on January 26, 2009 (boomark / email).