My purpose in introducing this legislation is merely to insure that the intent of the JacksonVanik amendment is respected. The JacksonVanik provisions were made a part of the trade act in an effort to improve the respect for basic human rights in Communist countries. As the amendment itself states. its purpose is "to assure the continued dedication of the United States to fundamental human rights .. ." This is accomplished by denying MFN status to the nonmarket Communist countries that have failed to comply with the amendments provisions regarding the right to emigrate. In addition. the law also contains a provision which allows the President to ask for a waiver in cases where the nonmarket country does not comply with the emigration requirements of JacksonVanik. Unfortunately. the last three administrations have invoked this waiver authority for several Communist countries which do not even comply with the minimal emigration requirement of JacksonVanik. It is incomprehensible to me that we should grant MFN status to a country that does not even comply with the simple requirement of "allowing citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate." The only other requirement in JacksonVanik is that the Government not "impose more than a nominal tax. levy. fine. or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate." These dual requirements are anything but onerous or excessive. and yet we have not insisted that they be respected. Year after year successive presidents have elected to waive compliance with JacksonVanik. Meanwhile. merely expressing a desire to emigrate from within these Communist countries could lead to the loss of ones ration cardswithout which they cannot buy fooddemotions or terminations at the place of their employment. harassment of spouse and children. detainment and imprisonment. and even death. We would all agree that this is most severe treatment for expressing a wish to leave a country. I believe that the time has come for us to let these nonmarket countries know that in order to get MFN trade status they must deserve it.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration