I extend my appreciation and gratitude to the gentleman from Maryland. and the gentleman from New York . and all of our colleagues who have united today to address this critical issue. I recently returned from a mission to Moscow. chaired by our colleague the gentleman from California [Congressman LANTOS]. where we had the opportunity to meet with 35 refuseniks. These. and many Soviet Jews and many other religious activists live a life characterized by struggle and oppression because they only seek emigration from Soviet Union and Justice at home. These Jews and activists have unwavering spirit to someday practice their religion free of persecution. But their hopes are clouded by the alarming decrease of Soviet Jews granted visas allowing them to leave the Soviet Union. In 1979. 51.320 Soviet Jews were allowed to emigrate from the Soviet Union. diminishing sharply to 896 in 1984. and only 61 visas were granted in January of this year. Today. more than 400.000 Soviet Jews continue to struggle to leave the Soviet Union and as a result of their desire are denied political. economic. and human rights. The plight of Soviet Jewry is characterized by the imprisonment and inhumane treatment of Anatoly Shcharansky.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration visas