Speech #990066266

I rise today in full support of the Jewish citizens of the Soviet Union. I commend the determination of this group who endures persecution and discrimination as a result of their desire to maintain their religious and cultural heritage. I join my colleagues. who recently completed a visit to the Soviet Union and witnessed first hand the abhorrent treatment of Soviet Jews. in calling for a unified effort to demand the cessation of persecution of this group and allow for their emigration from the Soviet Union. Last year only 896 Jews were allowed to emigrate from the Soviet Union. culminating a decline from 1979 when over 51.000 Jews were allowed to leave. Despite previous efforts on behalf of this group. the Soviet Union has not relented in either increasing the number of Jewish citizens allowed to emigrate or relaxing the harsh treatment of Soviet Jews. In light of this continued mistreatment. it is time that we intensify our efforts to educate the American public and promote the cause of Soviet Jews. We must call upon the Soviet Union to discontinue the practice of cultural. intellectual. and religious isolation that has been forced upon this group. Furthermore. we must not allow the Soviet Union to continue the practice of imprisoning refuseniks who merely want to emigrate to Israel. Also. those Jews who choose to remain in the Soviet Union must be guaranteed the same rights as citizens of other nationalities and religious affiliations. Finally. let me close by urging all Americans to join In the struggle for basic human rights and dignity for this oppressed group.