Syrias treatment of its Jewish citizens is one of the most troubling examples of Syrian Government oppression. Despite years of international protest. and despite official Syrian pledges to address the problem. the nearly 4.000 Jews living in Syria continue to face limitations and restrictions on their basic human right to religious freedom. One of the most onerous aspects of Syrias treatment of its Jewish community Is the denial to travel and emigrate freely. The current State Department "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" notes that: The Government continues. as a general policy. not to issue passports and exit visas to all members of a Jewish family at the same time. In theory. any Syrian may be required to post a bond of between $300 and $1.000. which would be forfeited in the event of nonreturn. In practice. only [certain Syrians] and Jews are required to post such bonds. The Syrian Government closely restricts Jewish emigration. * * * The U.S. Congress has gone on record to protest the treatment of Jews in Syria. Last session. both the House and Senate passed a resolution condemning Syrias continuing denial of Syrian Jews internationally recognized rights to freedom of emigration and movement. I was pleased to be a cosponsor of the Senate version of the resolution. Mr.
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emigrate emigration visas