Shcharanskys plight is one more contemptible example of Soviet disregard for basic human freedoms. Ironically. in signing the 1975 Helsinki Accord on Human Rights. the Soviet Union pledged to "respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. including the freedom of thought. conscience. religion. or belief." Mr. Shcharanskys "crime against the Soviet state" consisted of caring about the rights of others. being a Jew. and wishing to exercise his legal rights to emigrate. Shcharanskys initial exit visa application was denied in 1973 on the grounds that he was in possession of classified information. Two years later. he was dismissed from his position as a member of the faculty of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Once a Jew in the Soviet Union applies for an exit visa. he essentially sets himself up for continuous harassment. A systematic smear campaign is devised to discredit him. whether he be a worldrenowned scientist or an ordinary citizen. Those merely wishing to be reunited with their families abroad are absurdly linked with revolutionary movements and labeled "enemies of the state." They are arrested as suspected subversives and tried in mock trials on trumpedup charges.
Identified stereotypes
Once a Jew in the Soviet Union applies for an exit visa, he essentially sets himself up for continuous harassment.