Speech #970126266

I want to commend the distinguished ranking minority member of the Foreign Relations Committee for selecting a most appropriate way to support Human Rights Day. A resolution urging the President to instruct the U.S. delegation to the February 1982 meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Commission to call upon the Soviet Union to respect the rights of its citizens to practice their religion and to emigrate. I wholeheartedly endorse this resolution and urge its unanimous passage by the Senate. The oppression and persecution of Jews in the Soviet Union are at the heart of this resolution. The systematic efforts by the Soviet Government to eradicate the history and traditions of Judaism and to prevent the free emigration of its Jewish people. are at the center of the human rights struggle. I want to make note at this point. Mr. President. of the very encouraging reports coming from the Soviet Union in the last 24 hours with respect to the possible emigration of Andrei Sakharovs daughterinlaw and. consequently. the end of the Sakharovs hunger strike. One of the Soviet Unions most brilliant scientist for decades. Andrel Sakharov became known throughout the world as a champion of human rights when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975 after years of speaking out against Kremlin policies.