Swiss Helsinki Association

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The Swiss Helsinki Association for Democracy, Rule of Law and Human Rights (SHV) is a human rights organization that emerged in 1986 from the disbanded International Helsinki Association (IHV, 1977–1986). It became a national member organization of the International Helsinki Federation founded in 1982 (successor organization to IHV), with the aim of observing democracy , the rule of law and human rights in the then Eastern Bloc countries and helping to spread them. Today it is active at the local level of individual countries of the OSCE member states .

Activity and goals

The activities of the Swiss Helsinki Association are based on the Final Act of the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), which was signed in Helsinki on August 1, 1975 and which recognized the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as a principle of cooperation in humanitarian areas. The aim is to uncover and complain about human rights violations right from the start .

During the Cold War , the association (like its predecessor, the International Helsinki Association as well) called for better travel and contact opportunities as well as the easier exchange of information and ideas across the block border ( Iron Curtain ). She also acted for freer working conditions for foreign journalists in the Eastern Bloc countries and for easier cultural exchange. Whenever possible, she protected vulnerable opposition members and supported their human rights demands.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union , the Swiss Helsinki Association has been campaigning for the protection of human rights in the former Eastern Bloc countries and their successor states in Europe and Central Asia , where democratic structures after the collapse of communism were only partially and not without setbacks originated. The association analyzes the human rights situation in these states and promotes democracy there with specific projects. It particularly supports the Eastern European countries in building democratic administrative structures. At the same time, it monitors compliance with human rights throughout Europe.

management

Presidium:

Board:

Web links