Upon adjournment of both the October 1986 Reykjavik and November 1986 Geneva summit meetings. Soviet intentions of stricter adherence to the humanitarian language of the Helsinki accords were announced. Such adherence to the accords would include increased permission of emigration applicants. However. figures show that 20 percent fewer applicants were permitted to leave the country in 1986 as compared to 1985. Clearly the situation at present represents merely an attempt to establish a facade of Western humanitarian policy. The new codification of emigration decree issued in November 1986. while seemingly liberal. in actuality provides for emigration permission in only specialized and restricted situations. A careful reading of the decree shows that the chances of emigration are hardly more propitious than in earlier cases. Under the new decree. emigration is permitted only on the basis of family reunification with family including only parents. children. and siblings. Others not meeting these reunification standards are denied the basic right to emigrate. despite the implementation of the progressive decree. Mr. Speaker. it is time we take a firm stand on this issue and collectively denounce Soviet treatment of fundamental rights.
Keywords matched
family reunification emigrate emigration