Low Key Commission With Moral Mission

By: Kevin Trainor/Managing Editor

In 1975 the Cold War was on, and many thought the West was not doing so well.  A series of agreements between the Soviet Union, and the United States, had led skeptics particularly on the Right to cry appeasement.  This with the White House in Republican control since 1969.  Primarily, among these agreements the “Helsinki Accords” was most prominent.  It was an eye-roller for many.  In Helsinki, to sign the accords was President Gerald Ford.  Of the agreement he said, “History will judge this Conference not by what we say here today, but by what we do tomorrow – not only by the promises we make, but the promises we keep.”  From this the “Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe,” was formed. It was an independent agency of the U.S. Government that monitored compliance by the thirty-five nations who signed on the dotted line.  Name changes, and responsibilities changed as the end of the Cold War, and establishment of the European Community ensued.  Today, in a conference room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, a descendant of those organizations held a panel discussion.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF, is calling out countries that are hindering religious freedom.  They are predominantly a few east Asian countries, North Korea, China, a few African ones like Nigeria, and a whole bevy on the central Asian steppes such as Tajikistan.  Very vocal are the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.  Essentially, they are banned.  Many leaders of underground congregations are routinely arrested.  Russian authorities have even banned a specific Bible translation: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.  The first time a Bible has been banned in a country that claims to be Christian.  Not just Christian denominations, but Muslim theologies have been singled out.

This is a non-partisan effort when it involves the U.S. Congress.  U.S, Helsinki Commission leaders are, as Republicans are in the majority Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), as Chairman with Congressman Chris Smith, (R-NJ), as co-chair.  Chairmanship switches between the House, and Senate, every two years.  It is supported by both parties ten Reps and eight Dems.  It is primarily ceremonial, but they do get commission reports for consideration, and action, if needed.

Since USCIRF’s creation in 1998 one country has consistently topped the charts, Burma.  Military authorities, and non-state actors continually are cited for abuses, and humanitarian concerns of religious minorities.  Muslims, and Christians are singled out in the Buddhist country.  International pressure has been applied to minimal results.  However, the light is shining, and there would be no attention paid save for a commission.  Whatever breakthroughs that occur in the future with Burma, and religious tolerance, the commission can take credit.  The “Helsinki Accords” famously shown the light of the repression of Jewish adherents in the former Soviet Union.  Many dissidents, such as Alexander Solzhenitsyn, had been banished to Siberia.  They were released, and allowed to emigrate to the West,

Admittedly, only the very interested sat through the two hour plus panel discussion.

However, the participants all seemed to have a vested interest.  Many were from like-minded institutions, were clerics, or had personal experience with religious intolerance.  It is easy to dismiss such commissions as ineffectual, and bureaucracy laden, but there are small victories after much effort nevertheless.  President Ford’s words about promises made, and kept, continue on.