It is imperative that we reaffirm our support for Jews in the Soviet Union. This year marks the 37th anniversary of adoption by the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of luman Rights. Including the right not to be subject to torture. the right to emigrate. and the right to practice religion. On this anniversary. we must uphold the provisions of international human rights agreements. such as the Helsinki accords. which guarantee an individuals right to freedom of religion. cultural practices. and emigration. Over the past few years. the plight of Soviet Jews has grown considerably worse as the Soviet regime continues to institute repressive policies designed to destroy Jewish culture. Antisemitism has spread throughout Soviet societymillions of innocent men and women have been executed. unjustly exiled. and imprisoned in labor camps. Never in the history of Soviet Jewry has the emigration rate been so low. While we realize that Soviet attitudes toward Jewish emigration may change due to new leadership there. we cannot refute the ominous statisticsnew leadership has emerged before. yet in the first 11 months of 1985. a mere 1.048 people were allowed to emigrate. As a member of the Congressional Coali. tion for Soviet Jews. I have committed myself to speaking out to gain spiritual. intellectual. and physical freedom for Israel Achildlaev and his family. now denied the right to leave the Soviet Union. Over 6 years ago. the Achildiaev family submitted applications for exit visas to leave the Soviet Union. Although Israel Achildiaevs parents were given permission to leave. Israel and his young family were refused exit visas with no explanation given. Israel Achildiaev. his wife. and two young children. are victims of Soviet persecution and intransigence. The Soviet Union has waged a relentless crusade against human rights and dignity.
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emigrate emigration visas