Mr. Speaker. I am pleased at this opportunity to participate in the "Call to Conscience Vigil. 1981." The vigil. sponsored by the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews on behalf of the Soviet Jewish families. gives me a chance to express my concern for Jews being detained in the Soviet Union as a result of that governments repressive emigration policies. Since signing of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975. which provided for the pursuit of policies consistent with the basic principles of human rights. it has become increasingly apparent that the Soviet Union has disregarded the human rights provision. Included in the provision is the reunification of divided families whose members live in different countries. for humanitarian reasons. and free travel between countries. The more liberal approach taken by the Soviet authorities throughout most of 1979 has given way to a renewed harassment of Jewish applicants for emigration. This is the case of the Pelakh family. which I bring to the attention of my colleagues in Congress. The Pelakhs first applied for an exit visa in May 1977. Viktor. Margarita. and their son.
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emigration visa