In truth. glasnost could prove the most significant threat yet to human rights and freedoms in the Soviet Union. I am concerned that Gorbachevs call for openness may lull us into a false sense of complacency regarding the need for continued action on behalf of the Soviet Jews. I understand that the March figure for Soviet emigration of Jews was the highest monthly figure in 5 years. That is encouraging. However. the 400 visas given out in March are only the tip of the iceberg. We cannot forget that there are hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews still desperately seeking to emigrate. In addition. we must not forget the persecution and vicious antiSemitism which prevades Soviet society. Indeed. even nowduring this socalled democratizationHebrew teachers in the U.S.S.R. are routinely arrested. harassed and sent to prison. as are the many prisonersofconscience who vigorously protest human rights violations in that country. There are also the refuseniks who are relentlessly persecuted and whose only crime is their sincere desire to emigrate from the Soviet Union. We must not relax our efforts to secure human rights and freedom for the hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews wishig to leave the Soviet Union. As long as these individuals are living under such oppression and persecution. glasnost is nothing but an empty promise.
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emigrate emigration visas