Helsinki Commission:
The First 8 Years
NSIAD-85-57: Published: Mar 1, 1985. Publicly Released: Mar 18, 1985.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the role of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission), which was established in 1976 to monitor and stimulate the processes set up under the Helsinki Accords. The Helsinki Accords established a procedure for review of the human rights records of participating governments, as well as for the expansion of international military, economic, and humanitarian cooperation.
GAO found that the Helsinki Commission, which is comprised of representatives of the legislative and executive branches of participating governments, has sought to carry out its mandate by: (1) conducting research and issuing publications on Soviet bloc violations of the human rights provisions of the Helsinki Accords; (2) compiling case records of Soviet bloc repression against individuals and seeking resolution of those cases; (3) participating in the followup conferences that are the main mechanism by which the Helsinki Accords are perpetuated. GAO also found that the Commission has put less emphasis on developing its function of monitoring international economic and cultural cooperation because the climate of relations with the Soviet bloc has not been propitious since 1979. GAO believes that the Helsinki Commission has: (1) become a principal source of information on Soviet bloc violations of the Helsinki Accords; (2) helped to resolve numerous family reunification cases for victims of Soviet bloc repression; (3) played a major role in diplomacy associated with the Helsinki Accords; (4) effectively promoted a strong American human rights policy; and (5) been an effective mechanism for achieving congressional foreign policy intent.
Feb 26, 2021
Servicemember Rights:
Mandatory Arbitration Clauses Have Affected Some Employment and Consumer Claims but the Extent of Their Effects is UnknownGAO-21-221: Published: Feb 26, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 2021.
Feb 18, 2021
-
Workplace Safety and Health:
Actions Needed to Improve Reporting of Summary Injury and Illness DataGAO-21-122: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 18, 2021.
Jan 27, 2021
-
Military Spouse Employment:
DOD Should Continue Assessing State Licensing Practices and Increase Awareness of ResourcesGAO-21-193: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2021.
Oct 19, 2020
-
Fair Labor Standards Act:
Observations on the Effects of the Home Care RuleGAO-21-72: Published: Oct 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 19, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
-
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act:
Additional DOL Actions Needed to Help States and Employers Address Substance Use DisorderGAO-20-337: Published: May 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
Apr 14, 2020
-
Job Corps:
DOL Should Provide Greater Transparency in Communicating Its Rationale for Closure DecisionsGAO-20-240R: Published: Apr 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 14, 2020.
Feb 14, 2020
-
National Mediation Board:
Additional Actions Needed to Fully Implement Prior GAO Recommendations and Improve Agency Management and OversightGAO-20-236: Published: Feb 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 14, 2020.
Feb 10, 2020
-
National Weather Service:
Information on Contractor Selection and Work Performed for Its Operations and Workforce Analysis ProjectGAO-20-271R: Published: Jan 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 10, 2020.
Sep 9, 2019
-
Job Corps:
Actions Needed to Improve Planning for Center Operation ContractsGAO-19-326: Published: Aug 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Sep 9, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
-
Priority Open Recommendations:
Department of LaborGAO-19-395SP: Published: Apr 3, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Employment
Explore our other Key Issues here
