Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Solis released the following statement regarding her recent election as Chair of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions for the Organization for Security and Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).   Congresswoman Solis was part of a Congressional delegation in Astana, Kazakhstan for the 18th Annual Session of the OSCE in Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly led by Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD).

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Questions for the OSCE PA.  In the U.S. Congress, I have been an outspoken advocate for issues of importance to women and families,” said Solis. “In my new post, I will continue to support initiatives that protect vulnerable populations such as migrants, women, and children.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the OSCE to protect and improve human rights throughout the OSCE region.”

The OSCE PA is the parliamentary dimension of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.  The primary task of the 320 member Assembly, comprised of elected officials from the 56 OSCE participating States is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue in an effort to meet the overall challenges of democracy throughout the OSCE region.  

The General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions is responsible for addressing humanitarian and human rights-related threats to security and serves as a forum for examining the potential for cooperation within these areas. Solis also serves as the Special Representative on Migration.

Congresswoman Solis follows in the footsteps of Congressman Hastings, past President of the OSCE PA, Senator Cardin who is past Vice President, and House Majority Leader Hoyer who is a past Vice President of the Assembly.  

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The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.

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