The Soviet MHG was the first Helsinki committee to be established after the 1975 Helsinki accord, and its foundation marks the beginning of a remarkable human rights movement in history. The Helsinki committees have a particular importance in Eastern Europe and for the cooperation and solidarity between Eastern and Western human rights activists jointly forming a strong voice for human rights protection in the OSCE area. The hard work and effort of MHG and the rest of the movement is strongly needed today as it was in the cold war period.
Dear Ludmila Mikhailovna, dear colleagues!
On behalf of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, please accept our warm congratulations on the anniversary. I would particularly like to express my congratulations to the esteemed leader of of the Moscow Helsinki Group Lyudmila Alexeeva, a courageous woman who stood at the origins of the organization. It is above all her name that is associated with the activities of the organization.
Norwegian Helsinki Committee appreciates our close, long-term cooperation with the Moscow Helsinki Group in promoting human rights. We look forward to our continued cooperation.
We wish you Lyudmila, and the entire staff of the Moscow Helsinki Group, optimism in your work, fortitude, and all the best.
For my part, I would like to thank you for inviting me to participate in the celebration. This time, unfortunately, I was unable to take advantage of your invitation. Nevertheless, I hope that in the nearest future I will be able to meet you and your colleagues in Moscow.
With kind regards,
Bjørn Engesland