At the same time we claim the legal. and moral. right to review the performance of others. It is clear that EastEuropean countries. most notably the Soviet Union. continue to be guilty of a wide range of human rights violations that cannot possibly be reconciled with their promises at aHelsinki. In the Soviet Union. the most severe violations have come in the areas of suppression of political dissidents. censorship. restrictions on travel ane emigration. and denial of freedom of religion. The Soviets continue to hold as many as 10.000 political prisoners. continue to involuntary incarcerate political dissidents in psychiatric institutions. continue to systematically move against any domestic criticism of the Soviet State. continue to subject their own citizens wishing to leave the country to countless obstacles. and continue to harasss those seeking to exercise religious beliefs. After reaching a record high total of over 51.000 in 1979. Jewish emigration from the U.S.S.R. has been sharply and steadily curtailed. dropping to only 900 in 1984. Unfortunately this discouraging pattern has continued this year. This has been accomplished in part by severe restrictions on eligibility to apply for an exit visa. When we examine the subject of human rights. we are not talking about mere abstractions. Let us not forget that we are dealing with fellow human beings who are suffering without cause.
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emigration visa