Its adoption was a landmark event. allowing the United States to very legitimately press the Soviet Union and other nations about human rights abuses. despite protestations that these were internal matters. Over the past 15 years. we have seen the situation in the Soviet Union change dramatically. Soviet Jewish emigration dropped from over 50.000 in 1979 to less than 1.000 in 1984 and 1986. Only a few years ago Soviet Jewish Hebrew teachers and activists were still being arrested on trumpedup charges and sent to prison and internal exile. In 1989. over 70.000 Soviet Jews left the Soviet Union. and it is estimated that this year. that number may double. But. despite our joy with regard to these remarkable advances. we cannot rest on these laurels. The Soviet Union had assured us time and again that an open emigration law would be considered and adopted by the Supreme Soviet. most recently in the end of May just prior to Presidents Bush and Gorbachevs summit meeting. Yet. it was pulled from the calendar at the very last minute. and rescheduled for consideration. we are told. in September. I therefore remain cautious about the future.
Keywords matched
emigration