u.s. helsinki commission to monitor the u.s. participation in compliance with these commitments. i in the center of u.s. helsinki commission any capacity, i have raise religious human rights issues in other countries such as france when in the in of dash of security that parliament banned the wearing of other religious articles. or when the swoosh -- these policies respected not only the religious practice of muslim but also christians and jews. i've also raise human rights issues in the united states when we are out of compliance with her helsinki commitments. the united states as a censure the 1975 helsinki final act has accepted a body and it investment which relate to the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. in the context united states has pledged about a climate of mutual respect, understanding, cooperation and solidarity, while all persons living in the territory without distinction to its ethnic or national origin or religion in one good solution of problems through dialogue. the united states has played a leadership role with the osd to focus on there is aspects of

u.s. helsinki commission.n that capacity i've raised human rights issues in other countries, such as in france in the name of national security the parliament banned burkas and wearing of all religious articles or when the swiss restricted buildings of mosques or minerets. these policies were restrictive not only to religious practices of muslims, but also christians, jews and others who would seek to wear religious symbols and practice their religion as they saw fit. i have also raised human rights issues in the united states when we were out of compliance with our helsinki commitments. in that spirit, i find it necessary to speak out against the congressional hearing chaired by congressional congressman peter king. rather than constructively using the power of congress to explore how we as a nation can use all of our tools at our disposal to prevent future terrorist attacks and defeat those individuals and groups who want to do us harm, this spectacle crossed the line and chipped away at the religious freedo

u.s. helsinki commission since 1993, i have discussed the possibility of a helsinki-like process for the regionith middle eastern leaders, a process that could result in a more open democratic society with a free press and fair elections. the helsinki process now embodied in the organization for security and cooperation in europe bases relations between countries on the core principles of security, cooperation and respect for human rights. these principles are implemented by procedures that establish equality among all the member states through a consensus-based decision-making process, open dialogue, regular review of commitments and engagement with civil society. we have seen the helsinki process work before, and the region has gone through generations without personal freedom or human rights. countries that have been repressed under the totalitarian regime are now global leaders of democracy, human rights and freedom. one need only look as far as the thriving baltic countries to see what the eoce can help countries become leaders in their regions. lithuania now chairs both the osce and the