Speech #1020143181

Mr. Speaker. I wish to raise an Issue of great concern to me and many of my colleagues and constituents. the plight of Syrian Jews being deprived of their internationally recognized human rights to freedom of emigration and movement. As a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Syria has committed Itself to respect the rights of all citizens to emigrate freely. In practice. Syrias small. 3.600member Jewishcommunity. 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 other minorities. however. the passports and identity cards of Syrian Jews note their religion. Emigration from Syria Is largely forbidden. but Jews in particular are signed out for additional prohibitions and restrictions. When Syrian Jews wish to leave the country. they must post an onerous monetary deposit and leave family members behind as assurance for their return. In fact. there are at present six Syrian Jews in prison for attempting to leave Syria. two of which have been incarcerated since 1987. Syrian President Hafez alAssad has ignored the repeated efforts of the President of the United States. the State Department. and Members of Congress to secure freedom of emigration for the Syrian Jewish community. I think the plight of Syrian Jews should be recognized in the context of the American human rights agenda. Peace in the Middle East must begin with a genuine respect for the human rights of all the peoples of the region. includIng the Syrian Jews.