Rhode Island Chapter of Amnesty International in the hope that International concern will pressure the German Democratic Republic to repeal this arbitrary and unfair sentence. In March 1981. Joachim Dietzsch was accused on unspecified groundspossibly a charge of "impeding public and social activity"-and sentenced to 2 years in prison for publicly expressing his wish to emigrate from East Germany. His arrest constitutes a violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which has been ratified by the GDR. Article 19 of this Covenant includes the right to express opinions "freely and publicly." In addition. Mr. Dietzschs arrest Infringes upon his right to freely emigrate as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Mr. Speaker. the arrest and Imprisonment of this young man is an appalling example of East Germanys complete disregard for basic human rights.
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emigrate