JOHN MILLER and PETER KoSTMAYER. for sponsoring this vigil to ensure that those left behind are not forgotten. I rise today to call attention to the case of Evgeny Pisarevsky and his family who currently reside in Leningrad. The Pisarevsky family first applied to emigrate in September 1988. In January 1989. they were refused on the vague grounds that "it was not in the Interest of the state." The Pisarevskys believe that they were refused because of a job that Evgeny left over 10 years ago. Their son. Vladimir. was given permission and has since left the Soviet Union. However. in December 1989. the Pisarevskys hope of joining their son was dashed when authorities once again refused their emigration request. The continued incarceration of refuseniks such as the Pisarevskys is in direct violation of the Helsinki accords and the Vienna concluding document which binds the Soviets to adhere to the principle of freedom of emigration. While we remark at the changes that have taken place in the Soviet Union. we must not lose sight of the fact that Soviet Jews are still arbitrarily denied their fundamental rights. In light of the rising tide of antiSemitism sweeping throughout the Soviet Union. it is vital that all available means be found to facilitate the departure of Soviet Jews who wish to leave.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration