Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 96 Part 2.djvu/1278

 96 STAT. 2640

Mar. 25.1982

CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—MAR. 25, 1982 VASHCHENKO AND CHMYKHALOV FAMILIES' D E N I A L OF R E L I G I O U S F R E E D O M BY U.S.S.R.— E X P R E S S I O N O F U.S. C O N C E R N

[H. Con. Res. 100]

Whereas since 1962, thirteen members of the Vashchenko family and eleven members of the Chmykhalov family have been denied permission to emigrate from the Soviet Union; Whereas the Soviet Union has consistently denied the right of such individuals to practice their Pentecostal faith; Whereas the Soviet Union has subjected such individuals to physical and psychological harassment, including imprisonment, beatings, confinement in mental institutions, and separation of family members; Whereas such actions violate the commitments to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and emigration made by the Soviet Union through its adoption of, or participation as a signatory to, the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Chsirter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; Whereas on June 27, 1978, Maria and Timofei Chmykhalov, and Lilia, Peter, Liubov, Lidia, and Augustina Vashchenko sought refuge in the United States Embassy in Moscow, in the Soviet Union, because of the suppression of their religious beliefs by the Soviet Union, and have lived in the Embassy since such time; Whereas Augustina and Lidia Vashchenko began a himger strike on December 27, 1981, to protest their treatment by the Soviet Government; Whereas Lidia Vashchenko was removed from the United States Embassy compound in Moscow, away from her family and American protection, to Botkin Hospital where she is undergoing treatment for ailments resulting from her hunger strike; and Whereas the Soviet authorities have not indicated their intentions regarding Lidia Vashchenko once she has recovered and is physically able to leave Botkin Hospital: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That it is the sense of the Congress that the President of the United States should— (1) express to the Government of the Soviet Union the deep concern of the United States with respect to the deprivation by such Government of the religious freedom of the members of the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families, and the refusal of such Government to permit the emigration of the members of such families; (2) take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that Maria and Timofei Chmykhalov, and Lilia, Peter, Liubov, Lidia, and Augustina Veishchenko will be permitted to reside in the United States Embassy in Moscow, in the Soviet Union, until such time as the Government of the Soviet Union authorizes their emigration; and

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