They were arrested and sentenced to death. The world expressed outrage over the severity of the sentences and the Soviets reduced the punishment. World opinion caused most of the Leningrad activists to be granted exit visas after they finished serving their sentences. At the time. the Soviets and Americans were slowly trying to improve relations. Much has changed since then. The policies of the Soviet Union toward their prisoners has changed as well. They are not allowing prisoners to emigrate after serving sentences. The Soviets have become more rigid and inhumane in their treatment of refuseniks and prisoners of conscience. They have made it clear that once a person expresses a need to emigrate. their position in society is confiscated. Men. women. and children are treated as outcasts and punished by their government. As Americans able to practice any religion we choose. we must step up our support for those denied their religious freedoms.
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visas emigrate