U.S. Asks for Equal Treatment of Jews in Russia at Geneva Parley

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights, currently in session here, heard today from a member of the United States delegation an impassioned plea for full freedoms and equality of treatment in the religious, cultural and other human rights fields, for Jews all over the world.

The plea, linked to the present Commission’s "record in opposition to apartheid and to all violations of human rights," was voiced by Charles H. Silver, former president of the New York City Board of Education, who is a member of the U.S. delegation to the Commission, headed by Morris B. Abram. Mr. Silver holds the rank of "adviser" to the U.S. delegation.

Mr. Silver did not mention any country by name. But many of his strictures were seen here clearly as alluding to the Soviet Union. After noting the progress made by the Commission toward spelling out many human freedoms, he said:

"In the world today, many racial strains and cultures are uniformly acknowledged and actively encouraged to develop their native language, literature and art, while others, particularly the Jews, have been singled out to be confronted with obstacles and oppression. Even in areas where they have been recognized as an ethnic group within the national structure, continuing obstacles and oppression have confronted them.

"The world has observed restraints on religion which have resulted in the closing of many historic houses of worship and the imposition of obstacles to the training of future religious leaders and teachers. The inevitable result is a spiritual and intellectual loss to future generations.

"Whenever the printing of prayer books, the publication of literature, the production of dramatic or musical performances, the teaching of history and religion to the young have been restricted, the result is that the vital resources of a rich cultural legacy are being stamped out. Such restrictions, applied in almost every sphere of activity within such a cultural minority, induce a subtle but intensive erosion which results in the calculated breakdown of basic rights."

URGES RESTORATION OF SYNAGOGUES AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

Mr. Silver was crystal clear about the Soviet Government being his target when he mentioned the "isolation" of certain Jewish communities and prohibitions against Jews joining their families in Israel. Continuing his address, he told the Commission:

"In a number of cases, censorship has prevented sympathetic co-religionists in other nations from sending teachers and religious publications to their brethren. Whole communities have been isolated from their kinsmen in other parts of the world. Their members have been prevented from rejoining their relatives in Israel and elsewhere. Government action has prevented the renewal of bonds to the pitiful remnants which still remain of families that were torn apart by the tragic events of recent history.

"We appeal on just and humane grounds for the end of any policy of ethnic, racial and religious suppression wherever it may be found. It contradicts the lofty, ethnic and human policies of true social justice which must be our dominant concern.

"We plead for equality for every ethnic and racial group. We urge that Jewish citizens everywhere be permitted to enjoy the same privileges accorded to all peoples. We urge the removal of restrictions that deny the right to any group to practice, enhance and perpetuate its religion or its culture.

"We urge the restoration and maintenance of synagogues and churches, cemeteries, social and welfare institutions, communal organizations, schools and seminaries. We urge the creation of an atmosphere of freedom in all countries so that all peoples, without distinction as to race or creed or color, so that Jews and other minorities be allowed freely to associate with related groups in other countries. We trust, too, that anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination will be combated whenever and wherever they manifest themselves.

"And finally, we hope that permission will be granted to families of Jews and other minorities separated during the war to be reunited with their loved ones without undue hindrance or distress. We hope likewise that families separated through apartheid and similar practices will no longer be denied the right to a family life.

"We ask the same measure of freedom — no more or no less — that is granted to all other people in a civilized society. We put forth this statement in the confident belief that it benefits the dignity of man."

In the opening of his address, Mr. Silver had told the Commission that, "although I address myself particularly to the position of the Jews, " he was interested in all human freedoms for all peoples.