Finland. of the Final Act of the conference on Security and cooperation in Europe (CSCE). more commonly referred to as the Helsinki accords. In considering this resolution. we should recall the observation made during the Helsinki signing ceremony by then President Ford that the Conference adopting the final act would be judged. "Not by the promises we make. but by the promises we keep." As we all know. many of these commitments have not been honored. especially by the U.S.S.R. and its Eastern bloc allies. Some of the most important provisions of the Helsinki agreement pertain to human rights and. inter alia. the freer flow of people across national boundaries. specifically. the final act stipulates that governments must handle exit visa applications as expeditiously as possible and. not modify the rights and obligations of the applicant or his family. Furthermore. in connection with the fundamental right to emigrate. special reference is made to other human rights documents. including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. With that as backdrop. I invite my colleagues attention to the specifics of the human rights case addressed in this resolution.
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emigrate visa