The Helsinki accords cover nearly every aspect of EastWest relations. particularly concern for human rights. However. the grim situation faced by Jews in the Soviet Union clearly demonstrates total Soviet disregard for basic international standards of human rights. agreed to in the accords. Officially sanctioned antiSemitism. persecution of refuseniks. and the continued downward trend in Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union are wellknown examples of flagrant breeches of the agreement by the Soviets. Of specific concern to us. not only as Americans but as fellow human beings. are the individuals who are suffering at the hands of their Soviet persecutors: Yosef Begun. sentenced to a prison labor camp on charges of "antiSoviet agitation." has now been hospitalized due to the hunger strike he began in early July. He has endangered his life to make a statement on the atrocious State of human rights in that country. Once again. Ida Nudel has been refused emigration from the U.S.S.R.. and must endure a 6month delay before again petitioning. Ida Nudels request has been denied successively since 1971. In late June. Zakahar Zunshain participated in a demonstration at the Bolshoi Ballet. and circulated protest letters to the authorities. He was arrested and charged with "defamating of the Soviet state." Zunshain has begun a hunger strike pending his trial this week. Aleksandr Yakir has been denied emigration from the Soviet Union on charges of refusing military service. He refused because. on the basis of preserving "national security." the Soviet Union denies exit visas to veterans. His trial begins tomorrow. If convicted he faces up to 3 years in prison for the crime of trying to emigratea crime these Soviet Jews all face. and one specifically outlawed by the Helsinki accords. As Americans. and as fellow human beings. we must speak out for those who cannot. Religious freedom and human dignity must be fought for throughout the world.
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