I would like to draw the attention of the Members of the House of Representatives to the plight of Dr. Viktor Brailovsky. an internationally known scientist who now resides in a Soviet jail for a yet to be specified charge. It is clear. however. that his "crime" is his active. unwavering support for Soviet Jews and their right to emigrate. Dr. Brailovsky has been an eminent leader in the Soviet Jewry movement. He has been editor of the unofficial journal Jews in the U.S.S.R.. and was once arrested because of his connection to it. In 1972. he and his wife attempted to emigrate. but their efforts were thwarted. In fact. Viktor Brailovsky lost his job as a result of his desire to emigrate. Dr. Brailovsky has held the prestigious Moscow Sunday Seminar at his home for the last 4 years. And. last November. he and 200 other refuseniks wrote a letter to Soviet President Brehnev requesting the free emigration of Soviet Jews. It is- my firm belief that we canriot idly stand by and permit this abdication of human rights to continue. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support Viktor Brailovskys case. as only a strong protest will convince the Soviet Union of our concern over their emigration and human rights policies. particularly as they apply to Soviet Jews.*
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration