What is Helsinki pact?

Answer 1

The Helsinki Agreement also known as The Helsinki Accords were the final act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe held in Helsinki, Finland during July and August of 1975. This was an attempt to decrease the tensions between the West and the Communists. Thirty-five states participated in signing this agreement including USA, Canada and all European states except Albania and Andorra. Some of the main points of the accords included: non-intervention in internal affairs, cooperation among states, refraining from threats and use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, equal rights and self-determination of peoples, sovereign equality etc. This document was significant in reducing the Cold War tensions. The West pushed for human rights within the Soviet Union and the stability of post WWII European borders. Human Rights Watch committees were established to make sure that Human Rights were respected by all the signatories with particular emphasis on the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact countries.