The Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry has called on United Nations Secretary General U Thant, visiting Moscow, to intervene personally on behalf of Russian Jews who want to emigrate to Israel. The cable addressed to Mr. Thant by the group today referred specifically to the cases of Boris Kochubiyevsky and Mrs. Lilia Ontman, two Soviet Jews imprisoned after their requests for exit permits were denied. Mr. Kochubiyevsky is serving a three year sentence and Mrs. Ontman a two-and-a-half year term.
The cable said, “Numerous authenticated letters from Russian Jews plead for implementation of the Human Rights Declaration, Article 13/2, ratified by the USSR: ‘Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own.’ Boris Kochubiyevsky and Mrs. Lilia Ontman were imprisoned for desiring to join Israeli relatives. We urge your intervention.” A spokesman for the Student Struggle said the cable was addressed to Mr. Thant in care of the Kremlin at the suggestion of the Secretary General’s office here. He said he was sure the message would be delivered.
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