President. it is an honor and a privilege for me to participate today in the Congressional Call to Conscience. for Soviet Jews and Christians. This effdrt." ably chaired by my distinguished colleague. on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator RUDY BoscHwiTz. puts the Congress on record every. day it is lb session as expressing concern and support for Soviet Jews and dissidents of all religions in the Soviet Union who are denied their basic human rights. including the right to practice their religions or to emigrate. It is a special honor to take part in this program today because tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki accords. By signing those documents the Soviet Union committed itself to honor the human rights of all its citizens. including the right of religious freedom and of family reunion through emigration. Since that time we have seen what the Soviet Union really thinks about its commitments under international law and international agreements. The situation in the Soviet Union for Jews and other minorities has worsened considerably year by year. Soviet Jewish emigration has fallen to a new low of 464 persons for the first 5 months of 1985 compared to 51.000 in 1979. At the same time there has been a significant increase in antiSemitic activity. including the closing of synagogues. discrimination in education. and the confiscation of prayer books. Mr.
Identified stereotypes
The Soviet Union does not honor human rights.