Mr. Speaker. Soviet emigration hit an all time low in 19822.692. In October of this year. only 91 Jews were permitted to leave the Soviet Union. This is a 60percent drop in the number of Jewish Soviets permitted to emigrate during the same month last year. Reports of additional measures. which further jeopardize the lives of those who have applied to leave. have been finalized. Increased numbers of final refusals have been issued. an antiSemitic campaign has been formalized. and pressure to halt Jewish cultural activities grows stronger. The legislation before us urges the Soviet Government to comply with its obligations under the Helsinki Final Act. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. and other international humanrights agreements by pursuing a more humane emigration policy and ceasing its harassment of Jews and others seeking to emigrate. Further. the resolution observes that compliance would "significantly promote" improved relations between the U.S.S.R. and the United States and calls upon the President to impress upon the Soviet Government this countrys stronger opposition to its policy of persecution "at every appropriate opportunity" and to convey these concerns to U.S. allies and solicit their cooperation. This resolution is an important and significant step toward pressing the Soviets to regard the basic human rights of its citizens.
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emigrate emigration