Speaker. I am proud to participate in "Shatter the Silence. Vigil 1979." which seeks to draw attention to those Soviet Jewish families and individuals who wish to emigrate from the U.S.S.R.. but are unable to as a result of the restrictive emigration policies of the Soviet Government. Under the Helsinki Final Act of 1975. the U.S.S.R.. as a signatory. committed itself to a policy of respect for basic human rights. including the unification of families with members living in more than one country. religious freedom. and free travel between nations. The Soviet Government has. unfortunately. failed to maintain human rights and emigration policies consistent with the Final Act. In last years "Vigil for Freedom." I brought to your attention the case of Lev Gendin. a 38yearold electronics engineer from Moscow. Lev was dismissed from his job immediately after applying for an emigration visa to Israel in 1971. His wife of 3 months. Aviva KleinGendin. was alone granted a visa. Today. she tirelessly works for the freedom of her husband. Lev has been continually harassed by the Soviet state since his attempt to emigrate. He has been assaulted by KGB agents. and has served more than 160 days in prison. He has been denied employment befitting his education. and has been forced to accept menial labor positions to survive.
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emigrate emigration visa