A formal declaration expressing concern over the treatment of Jews in the Soviet Union and viewing the curtailment of their right to emigrate as an impediment to improved East-West relations, was released here today bearing the signatures of 240 members of the Parliament of Europe.
The President of the Parliament was instructed to send the document to President Konstantin Cherner ko of the USSR and to the heads of government of the 10 member states of the European Economic Community (EEC), and the Secretary General of the United Nations, the World Jewish Congress European Branch reported.
The declaration expressed hope that the Soviet Union will honor its commitments under the Helsinki Agreement guaranteeing basic human rights and voiced great concern over the upsurge of anti-Semitism in the Soviet press and other media. It also regretted the restrictions on Jewish emigration which it saw as a barrier to improved relations between the USSR and the West.
The signatories urged the Soviet government to allow all Jews who wish to leave to reunite with their families abroad to do so freely and called on the Soviet authorities to end the harassment and persecution of Jews who have expressed their desire to leave. The Soviet government was also asked to allow Jews remaining in the Soviet Union full freedom to observe and practice their religion and culture.
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