The charge of "draft evasion" has been used many times against young Soviet Jews. such as Aleksander. who have been "refuseniks" since childhood. Their efforts to avoid the draft are a result of the catch22 situation in which they would be placed. They are either refused permission to emigrate because of the "state secrets" they were exposed to in the military or. if they request not to serve for this reason. they are hounded for draft evasion. Journalist Reuben Ainsztein has captured the dilemma faced by the Yakir family: "Revolutions. it is said. devour their own children. But for people called Yakir. in the U.S.S.R.. the process is already entering the third generation." The tragic story of Aleksander Yakir and his family is a sad example of the plight of Jews living in the Soviet Union and wishing to emigrate to Israel. It is essential that we continue to draw attention to the stories of Aleksander Yakir and others facing similar difficulties in the Soviet Uniondifficulties which result solely because they are Jewish and wish to emigrate. We must continue to work for a loosening of Soviet emigration laws and for an improvement in that nations commitment to human rights for all its citizens.9
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emigrate emigration