The International Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, meeting in the Netherlands,  has passed two resolutions authored by Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the Helsinki Commission), that urge OSCE nations to redouble efforts to combat anti-Semitism and human trafficking.

    Smith, also Vice Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, led an eight-member Congressional delegation to the annual diplomatic session taking place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

    “The passage of my two resolutions is another sign that the diverse nations of the OSCE are ready and willing to take significant, concrete actions against the venomous hatred of anti-Semitism and the barbarism of human trafficking,” Smith said

    Smith, a long-time advocate of human rights throughout the world, has championed the two issues for years.  He authored the U.S.’s first law that addresses human trafficking and has used his Helsinki Commission chairmanship to push other nations to adopt similar laws and to more aggressively prosecute trafficking cases.

    His successful trafficking resolution urges member states to adopt and enforce trafficking laws, ensure law enforcement are not complicit in trafficking crimes, and encourage states to take action against child pornography, particularly when it is transmitted via the internet.

    “When I first began raising human trafficking at these international assemblies, few nations targeted resources to address this tragedy that affects mostly women and children.  Today, I am pleased that many of our OSCE colleagues – including the U.S. – are doing more to combat trafficking and to aid the victims of this horrendous crime,” Smith said.

    Smith’s anti-Semitism Resolution urges member states to better educate young people about the evils of anti-Semitism and actively investigate and prosecute incidents motivated by hate for the Jewish people and their faith. It builds on a resolution authored by Smith that was adopted during last year’s assembly.

    “Anti-Semitism can't be allowed to camouflage, cloak or conceal its ugliness as mere policy differences with the State of Israel,” Smith said during debate on the resolution.

    Along with former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Smith participated in a first-ever OSCE forum on anti-Semitism in Vienna last month. Under Smith’s leadership, the Helsinki Commission has convened several forums on anti-Semitism and various governments are paying closer attention to this evil.

    An anti-Semitism resolution sponsored by Smith recently passed the House of Representatives as well.