Speech #970246914

I rise in support of three resolutions that will be called up by the gentleman from Washington . chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations. concerning human rights in the Soviet Union. The first of these. House Concurrent Resolution 336. expresses dismay with the severe decline of Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union. and continued harassment of Soviet Jews who have been repeatedly denied permission to emigrate. These socalled refuseniks have been subjected to internal exile. arbitrary arrest. and imprisonment. The resolution calls on the Soviets to observe in practice. human rights standards which it claims to support in principle. House Concurrent Resolution 330 urges the Soviets to promote a humane emigration policy. and calls on the President to convey U.S. concerns on Soviet emigration policy to Soviet leaders at every opportunity. particularly when we negotiate bilateral agreements on grain. trade. commerce. and scientific and technological exchanges with them. It focuses on the specific case of Ida Nudel. a Soviet refusenik who has been denied permission to emigrate since 1971. and spent 4 years in internal exile. Her situation. highlights the gross injustice of Soviet emigration policies. Ida Nudels continuing efforts on behalf of Jewish prisoners of conscience are truly admired. She has persevered in the face of much adversity.