At a time when the administration is beginning to propose new initiatives in the area of nuclear disarmament. and a qualified candidate has at last been nominated to fill the vacant position of Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. I think it is appropriate to direct our attention to the defense and promotion of human rights in the world. Nowhere is the issue of human rights more pressing at the present time than in the cases of Soviet Jews who seek to emigrate from the U.S.S.R. The evidence is clear: Only 368 Jews were permitted to emigrate from the Soviet Union last month. compared with more than 4.500 just 2 years ago. This is the lowest monthly figure since emigration began. There has been a sharp upturn in the number of refusals for exit permission and an increase in nondelivery of invitations from abroad. which are necessary for applying for visas. The waiting period for consideration of applications has been increased to almost 2 years. Some people have waited for years for permission to emigrate. Abe Stolar. an American citizen who holds a valid American passport. applied for exit permission with his family which was approved and then revoked. He has been waiting since 1974.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration visas