Alexander was charged retroactively for allegedly "failing to report for military service in 1981." Although that year the military authorities tried to prosecute Alexander for evading conscription. the charge was rejected by the prosecutors office because of insufficient evidence. The KGB waited 3 more years before arresting him. Clearly Alexanders arrest and sentence were the result of the Yakirs repeated petitions for emigration and because they belong to a family whose members were considered dissidents during the late 1930s. Both of these families have committed no other "crime" than to petition for permissio to emigrate to Israel. And the Soviet Union. in violation of its obligations under the Helsinki Final Act and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. continues to reject their petitions and subject them to harrassment and separation from family and friends. The stories of these two families and many. many other Soviet refuseniks and prisoners of conscience cast a shadow over the lights of this holiday season. Although the recent summit between President Reagan and Soviet leader Gorbachev kindled hopes that there might be changes in the Soviet Unions human rights and emigration policies. the situation for Soviet Jews still remains grim. I call upon the Soviet Union. in accordance with the Helsinki Final Act. to grant the Meadeleevs. the Yakirs and others the right to emigrate. Such action Is critical to keeping alive the hopes raised by the Geneva summit for United StatesSoviet peace and cooperation.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration