And because distances have shrunk with advances in transportation. greater numbers of people not only leave but are able to return to countries of origin with greater ease and speed than ever before. Historically and by law. then. the right to leave ones country and return is probably one of the more basic human rights aside from the right of life itself. Viewed in this context. the refusal of the Soviet Union to allow its citizens. particularly the Jews. to emigrate. is contrary to the flow of history and the very tenets of the Soviet Constitution which legally. recognizes the right of all nationalities within the U.S.S.R. borders to cultural freedom and the concept of national determination. In the United States. we strongly believe that the right to leave and to return is the constituent element of personal liberty. and thus all Americansexcept those under some kinds of legal due processmay leave and may return for good reason or bad or no reason at all. It is important to note that 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.
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emigrate visa