The Helsinki Final Act: Is There Life After 40?

Recent events in Ukraine pointed to the continued applicability of the Helsinki Final Act, even nearly 40 years after it was signed by leaders from the United States, Western Europe, and the then Soviet Union. Respect for both national sovereignty and international human rights are as important now as they were in 1975. If properly followed by each of the present 57 OSCE member states, the document could very well be the path to another 40 years of improved security and cooperation in freedom and justice for all the citizens of Europe, the United States, and Canada.