Shcharanskys mistreatment by Soviet officials appears particularly barbaric in light of the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment. His widely publicized trial. which made a mockery of justice. demonstrated to the world the Soviet Unions disregard for even the most basic of human rights. as outlined in the Helsinki accords signed by the U.S.S.R. in 1975. Soviet persecution of Shcharansky began in 1973. when he first applied for permission to emigrate to Israel. Following the refusal of his application. he continued to seek to emigrate. and worked on behalf of the human rights cause in the Soviet Union. He became a founding member of the Group to Monitor the Helsinki Agreement in the U.S.S.R.. and often acted as a spokesman for Soviet "refuseniks." His courageous efforts on behalf of human rights ultimately led to his arrest in March 1977. on charges of spying for the United States. In spite of worldwide outrage over his trial. and President Carters public assurances that he had never been affiliated with the CIA.
Keywords matched
emigrate