WASHINGTON (JTA) — The chairman and co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission switched roles.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who is Jewish, on Thursday assumed chairmanship for the duration of the 111th Congress of the U.S. member of an international alliance of paliamentary bodies that monitor human rights.
U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) relinquished the chairmanship and assumed Cardin’s prior role as co-chairman.
The U.S. commission has taken a lead role in monitoring the status of Jews and other minorities in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
