Speech #970214887

Such people are routinely locked up for such "crimes" as belief in God (Baptist believer. Anna Certkova. in psychiatric detention since 1974. Orthodox priest. losif Mikhallov. in Kazan Special Psychiatric Hospital since 1971. Muslim believer. Annasoltan Kekilova. under medical "treatment" since 1972) the defense workers rights (despite continuing international protests. Vladimir Kelbanov and Aleksei Nikitin. remain in psychiatric detention) or attempts to emigrate (Pentecostal Fyodor Sidenko and Baptist Vladimir Khallo are both today in psychiatric hospitals). Despite setbacks. we must continue to speak out in defense of those who cannot. Despite disappointments. we must persevere in utilizing the unique opportunity to defend human rights provided in the Helsinki Final Act.e