Speech #970154429

The concurrent resolution. with its preamble. reads as follows: S. CoN. Ras. 69 Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee to all citizens the rights to freedom of religion. the right to hold opinions without interference. the right to freedom of expression. and the right to emigrate. Whereas the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe commits the signatory nations to respect individual rights and freedom. specifically the right to emigrate to the country of ones choice to rejoin their relatives. Whereas the Soviet Union has signed the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. is a party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. and has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Whereas Ida Nudel has devoted her life to the plight of Jewish Prisoners of Conscience. Whereas Ida Nude) is known as the Guardian Angel for her activities on their behalf. Whereas Ida Nudel first applied to emigrate from the Soviet Union to Israel in 1971 in order to rejoin her only living relatives. and Whereas Ida Nudel thereafter endured seven years of harassment and interrogation by the Soviet authorities. Whereas Ida Nudel developed a heart condition in 1973 which was intentionally misdiagnosed as alcoholism. and therefore never treated properly. Whereas in June 1978. Ida Nudel was convicted by the Soviet Government of "mali. cious hooliganism" for hanging a banner on her balcony which said "KGB. give me my visa". Whereas Ida Nudel was then sentenced to four years of exile in Siberia after a trial in which no witnesses were allowed to testify in her behalf. Whereas Ida Nudel is in grave physical danger. not only from her failing health. but from citizens around her who have been incited by the Soviet Government to harass and threaten her. Whereas Ida Nudel is scheduled to be released from internal exile on March 20. 1982. and Whereas Ida Nudel will again apply for emigration visa upon being released from imprisonment: Now. therefore. be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring). That it is the sense of the Senate that the President. acting directly or through the Secretary of State. should(1) continue to express at every suitable opportunity and in the strongest possible terms the opposition of the United States Government to the forced exile of Ida Nudel. (2) urge the Government of the Soviet Union to (A) provide her with adequate medical care. (B) accept Ida Nudels visa application. and allow her to emigrate to Israel to join her relatives. in accordance with the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. and (3) inform the Government of the Soviet Union that the Government of the United States. in evaluating its relations with other countries. will take into account the extent to which such countries honor their commitments under international law. expecially commitments with respect to the protection of human rights. SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this concurrent resolution to the President with the request that he further transmit such copy to the Ambassador of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the United States.