Soviet Jews are deliberately and systematically being stripped of their culture and of their very identity. The horrifying conditions and terrible treatment of the Jewish people in the Soviet Union leaves them no alternative but to seek exit from their homeland in the hopes of finding a place to live according to their historic traditions. The right of an individual to leave any country. including ones own. is an internationally recognized human right upheld by the Helsinki Final Act-(1975)-but the doors of emigration have been virtually closed for the Jews. Hundreds of thousands of Jews in recent years have requested the right to leave the Soviet Union. but less than 1.000 will escape Soviet persecution this year. in contrast to the 51.320 permitted to leave at the height of emigration in 1979. Those who have repeatedly been refused permission to emigrate to Israel. the refuseniks. suffer even more persecution. Authorities frequently interrogate refuseniks. interfere with their mail and telephone service. and threaten them with physical abuse. conscription into military service. or imprisonment. Prison conditions are. harsh. and Jewish prisoners often are persecuted by prison inmates and administrators.
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emigrate emigration