Mr. Speaker. over the last 5 years. Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union has been virtually halted. The number of Jews emigrating has plummeted from more than 51.000 in 1979 to only about 1.300 in This sharp decline in the number of Soviet Jews allowed to emigrate has been coupled with an intensification of forced cultural and linguistic assimilation. a broadening of antiSemitic campaigns. including the creation of an AntiZionist Committee. an introduction of laws meant to harass and intimidate Jews who are trying to emigrate. as well as a cutting off of contact between Soviet Jews and Jews abroad. As a party to the Helsinki accords. the Soviet Union has indicated its willingness to accept certain policies respecting human rights. including the rights of individuals to emigrate freely. As has become painfully clear. however. the Soviets disregard their international commitments when they determine those commitments no longer serve their own ends. Soviet actions today are clearly in violation of the spirit and intent of the accords with respect to basic human rights.
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