The House of Commons has given overwhelming support to a motion submitted by Labor MP Greville Janner urging the government to intervene on behalf of the rights of Soviet Jews. The measure has accumulated 333 signatures from all parties, more than any other motion during the current session of the House.
The motion states, “This House deplores the refusal of the Soviet government to permit Jews to leave the Soviet Union, in accordance with recognized human rights; its persecution of those Jews who wish to emigrate to Israel; and its refusal to permit Soviet Jews freely to practice their religion and to maintain their culture; and calls on Her Majesty’s government to use her best endeavors to secure and ensure respect of these human rights.”
Several amendments have been attached to the motion. One adds a demand for free emigration for Soviet nationalities other than Jews. Another asks the government to protest the refusal of Soviet authorities to permit foreign newsmen to attend the show trials of Soviet Jews. A third calls on the government to bring to the attention of Moscow the heavy support Janner’s motion has engendered in Parliament.
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