I would like to reiterate the promises that were made. On August 1. 1975. the Soviet Union was one of 35 participants who signed this pact of security and cooperation in Europe which states that ... participating states will deal in a positive and humanitarian spirit with the application of persons wishing to be reunited with members of their family .... Applications for the purpose of family reunification which are not granted may be renewed at the appropriate level and will be reconsid. ered at reasonably short intervals by the authorities of the country of residence. Despite these proclamations. the Soviet Union has repeatedly refused to live up to this agreement and is denying cooperation to thousands of individuals. In an attempt to secure religious freedom. approximately 400.000 Soviet Jews are seeking to leave the Soviet Union for Israel. In 1984. 896 Soviet Jews were allowed to emigrate. the lowest figure in 14 years. At the current rate of approximately 1.000 permitted emigrations each year. it would take 400 years before all those presently seeking to emigrate could do so. For those who must wait. life is in constant turmoil. Daily. they face the possibility of losing their jobs. citizenship. and family. never knowing when or if they will be arrested or sent to forced labor camps.
Keywords matched
emigrate family reunification emigrations