Speech #980171741

Mr. Speaker. the Helsinki Final Act calls upon the signatories. including the Soviet Union. to respect human rightsrights which derive from the "inherent dignity of the human person and are essential for his free and full development." Yuri Shukhevych stands out as an individual who has suffered a great deal precisely for maintaining his dignity in refusing to denigrate the name of his father. Despite numerous efforts on his behalf by governments in the West and private institutions. including a resolution passed by both the House and Senate in 1981 calling upon the Soviet Union to release him and permit him and his family to emigrate. the Soviet Government has remained intransigent. The Helsinki Commission. on which I serve as Chairman. has repeatedly called upon the Soviet Government to abide by its human rights commitments under the Helsinki Final Act. By releasing this man. who is blind and in poor health. and permitting him and his family to emigrate. the Soviet Government would be taking a positive step in showing that it takes its stated commitments seriously.*