Mr. Speaker. as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Syria has committed itself to respect the right of all its citizens to emigrate freely. Yet it treats this universal right as a privilege to be meted out to a select few by unaccountable government officials. Syrias small 3.600member Jewish community. like other groups. does not have the right to change its government legally and peacefully and cannot publicly criticize the government for human rights violations. Unlike any * other minority however. the passports and identity cards carried by Syrian Jews note f their religion. - Emigration Is largely forbidden. but Jews in - particular are singled out for additional prohibitions and restrictions. They are not allowed to leave Syria without paying burdensome fees to the Mukhabaratsecret police--which is intended to ensure their return. As added Insurance. whole families may never travel together.
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emigrate Emigration