Speech #970246919

Speaker. I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 336. which expresses the sense of Congress concerning the compliance of the Soviet Union with its obligations under International agreements on human rights. As the resolution states. the Soviet Union has apparently adopted a policy of virtually closing its borders to Jewish emigration as evidenced by the declining emigration levels which for 1982 have averaged fewer than 300 individuals per month. This policy has left literally tens of thousands of people who are seeking to emigrate from the Soviet Union with little or no hope of being granted permission to emigrate in the foreseeable future. Those individuals who have been denied emigration rights. especially the longterm "refuseniks." are regularly subjected to a life as internal refugees. As a result. they often face a loss of jobs. the loss of membership in important social and professional organizations. revocation of academic degrees. constant surveillance and arbitrary assault. and other forms of harassment and social isolation. Ultimately such treatment often results in the creation of severe physical. emotional. and psychological problems for affected individuals. Such action by the Soviet Union regarding the rights of its citizens to emigrate to religious and cultural expression and to freedom from harassment as members of specific ethnic groups is in clear violation of several international agreements. The Soviet Union as signatories to the Helsinki Final Act. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. the International Convenant on Economic. Social. and Cultural Rights. the International Labor Organization Convention Concerning Employment Policy. and the UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education. has clear obligations to prevent the very acts they are now committing. House Concurrent Resolution 336 stresses that human rights considerations are a vital part of U.S. foreign policy. Futhermore. that it is the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should comply with its obligations under international agreements relating to human rights. by pursuing a more humane emigration policy and ceasing harassment of Jews and others seeking to emigrate. Finally. this resolution calls upon the President to convey to Soviet officials the concerns of the Congress expressed in this resolution at every appropriate opportunity including negotiations for trade and commerce (especially grain sales). science and technology exchanges. as well as during President summit talks. These requests include fully sharing these views with our allies and urging their cooperation in the effort to promote emigration from the Soviet Union. As an initial cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 336. I urge the strong support of my colleagues on this important resolution.*