David Mikhalev is a Soviet Jew who has been refused permission to leave the Soviet Union since 1979. His case is an especially tragic one and is evidence that while glasnost policies have contributed to Soviet liberalization in many ways. certain reforms are still badly needed. David has applied repeatedly for the last 11 years but has consistently been refused permission to emigrate. The Soviet government has maintained that he holds state secrets from the ministry of communication. where he worked as a mathematician. However. it is undoubtedly more likely that rejection of his applications originates from his service as the vicechairman at the Public Committee to Monitor Ovir. an organization attempting to oversee the governments visa and emigration process. Mr. Mikhalevs case is especially tragic because he is now separated from his wife and daughter. who live in the United States. They were allowed to emigrate in 1988 so that his daughter. age 7. could be treated for a genetic hormonal disease that was untreatable in the Soviet Union. However Olga. his wife. was only allowed to emigrate after divorcing David. This heartbreaking story of a divided family reminds one of the old days of calculated. bureaucratic totalitarianism rather than an era of glasnost. which emphasizes freedom and human dignity. I strongly urge my colleagues to join with me in urging the Soviet Union to reconsider its practices with regard to David Mikhalev and others who wish to emigrate from the Soviet Union.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration visa