Speech #990068397

Despite hopes that this policy might be somewhat liberalized as the new Gorbachev administration comes into power. there has been no significant increase in the number of Soviet Jews allowed to migrate. and we must persist in applying pressure for change. I would like to stand up today for someone whose release I have fought for personally for over 5 years. Alexander Pevzner has suffered repeated humiliation and harsh treatment. as a result of requesting permission to emigrate from the Soviet Union. He and his family have been denied exit visas several times. even though his parents and his sisters were allowed to leave. This intentional separtion of the Pevzner family directly violates the family reunification clause of the Helsinki agreement. which states that signatory nations will facilitate. not hinder. the movements of individuals to be united with their family members. But beyond protesting this violation. our own principals as freedomloving men and women compel us to denounce this betrayal by the Soviet Union of its own citizens. I continue to correspond personally with Lev Pevzner. Alexanders father. who now resides in the United States. I have persistently pressed Alexanders case with various Soviet officials. and have written many letters to them regarding Alexanders situation. I have urged them to reconsider their restrictive emigration policies. My hope is that Soviet officials will do what is right. and allow him to leave. I am grateful to all my colleagues who continue to contribute to the efforts of the Conscience Vigil. The work that each of us is doing gives Alexander. and other "refuseniks." sustained hope that their efforts are girded by the protests of the free world. We here in Congress. as well as citizens of democratic societies around the world. call for universal religious and cultural freedom. and freedom to emigrate. as "basic human rights" of all individuals. We must continue to work on behalf of these powerless individuals. not only the known victims of Soviet oppression. but also the thousands of unknown. silent victims. We have not been silenced Just because our protests are not always acknowledged.