Mr. Speaker. I rise to join my colleagues in once again calling on the Soviet Union to allow former Soviet Jewish Prisoner of Conscience Ida Nudel to emigrate to Israel. In addition. I wish to strongly protest the way Ida Nudel has been relentlessly harassed by Soviet authorities since her release from 4 years of internal exile in March 1982. Over 10 years ago Ida Nudel applied to emigrate from the Soviet Union to Israel with her sister. whose exit visa was approved. Ida was not so fortunate. her request was denied on the grounds that since she was an economist. she knew too many "state secrets." A woman of very strong convictions. Ida Nudel would not allow her spirit to be dulled by Soviet injustice. After being denied her exit visa. Ida Nudel began the series of "crimes" that led to her Siberian exile. She began caring for those other terribly unfortunate Soviet Jews who had requested to emigrate only to be denied and later imprisoned for simply being true to their Jewish faith. For 7 years Ida Nudel cared for her fellow Soviet Jews. and she became known as the Angel of the Prisoners of Conscience. Finally. after being constantly harassed for her work and her deep commitment to the right to basic human rights. she hung a banner outside her apartment window that read "KGB give me my visa." She was arrested and after a token trial. she was sentenced to 4 years in internal exile for "malicious hooliganism." She was released in March of this year. but Soviet justice has not fully been served. Instead. the Soviet Government has refused granting her to permit that is required for any Soviet citizen to establish a residence. As a result.
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emigrate visa