This treaty. which has been ratified by 46 nations. including the U.S.S.R.. and is in force. "guarantees that the right of everyone" to enjoy. among various rights. "the right to leave any country. including his own. and to return to his country." The third major international legal document is the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which reads: Everyone shall be free to leave any country. including his own. Clearly then. both authoritative world opinion and international law consider the right to leave and to return as a fundamental human right binding on all governments. I do recognize that there are. universal reasons for refusal to grant an exit visa or reentry. But it is significant that the Soviet Union has assumed binding and even contractual obligations under. international law -to fulfill the right to leave and to return. It proclaims itself to be a strong adherent to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.