Mr. Speaker. I was extremely distressed to learn recently that the Supreme Soviet made official its policy of charging high emigration taxes for all of its educated citizens who wish to emigrate to the West. These taxes. ostensibly aimed at all educated Soviet citizens. primarily affect Soviet Jews. who are the most highly educated ethnic group in the Soviet Union. and who account for most of that nations emigration. This Soviet policy of levying emigration taxes on Jews wishing to leave the country is despicable. a flagrant violation of human civil rights. and I will continue to do all I can to have our Government press this issue in an effort to have this persecution halted immediately. The American Jewish community is rightly angered. as the Soviets have also increased their use of sudden callups to military duty to discourage young trained Jews from leaving the country. Older Jews seeking to leave Russia are facing various forms of harassment. including the head tax. demotions and discharges at their place of employment. removal of telephones and police surveillance. Late in the 92d Congress. I was pleased to join with my colleague from Ohio in the introduction of legislation which would prevent the granting of mostfavorednation trade status to any nation which charges more than a nominal exit fee for its citizens wishing to emigrate. Regrettably. time did not permit action on this legislation before the adjournment of Congress. As a result.
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emigrate emigration head tax