Today marks the seventh anniversary of Anatoly Shcharanskys imprisonment. Shcharansky. as well as the other brave refuseniks and prisoners of conscience. reminds the world that the Soviet Union blatantly violates the human rights and dignity of its people. This countrys leadership attempts to rob Soviet Jews of their religious freedom. cultural identity. and the right to emigrate. Those individuals who challenge the oppression end up in prison or in mental institutions. The Soviet Union signed the Helsinki accords on August 1. 1975. which bound them to allow the free emigration of ethnic nationals. The Soviet Union flagrantly violated that treaty by refusing emigration to Soviet Jews. and by harassing and punishing those who applied for exit visas. Not only have the Soviets ignored their responsibilities with regard to the Helsinki accords. they have also violated the terms of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights by refusing free emigration for Soviet Jews and others. The Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations. which I chair. together with the Helsinki Commission under the leadership of Chairman DANTE FAscELL. held hearings on Soviet Jewry last year. and hearings on this issue are scheduled again this year. We will not stop holding hearings. participating in demonstrations. conducting meetings. or writing letters until every Jew in the Soviet Union is free to leave.
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emigrate emigration visas