CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—JULY 24, 1984
98 STAT. 3479
Whereas the Union of Soviet SociaUst Republics signed the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe, is obligated to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Whereas Principle VII of the Helsinki Final Act specifically confirms the "right of the individual to know and act upon his rights and duties" in the field of human rights, and Principle IX confirms the relevant and positive role individuals play in the implementation of the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act; Whereas Nobel Laureate Andrei Sakharov, leader of the human rights movement in the Soviet Union, was arrested and exiled to Gorky in direct contravention of Principle VII of the Helsinki Final Act, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Whereas Dr. Sakharov's wife, Yelena Bonner, has been charged with anti-Soviet agitation and is in urgent need of medical treatment unavailable in the Soviet Union; Whereas Dr. Sakharov, as a last resort, on May 2, 1984, began a hunger strike to protest the Soviet Government's harassment of his wife, Yelena Bonner, and that Government's refusal to jp*ant her an exit visa for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment abroad; and Whereas the exact whereabouts, health, and legal status of both Dr. Sakharov and Yelena Bonner have been kept secret by the Soviet Government: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That it is the sense of the Congress that in light of the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics— (1) should provide the signatories of the Helsinki Final Act with specific information as to the whereabouts, health, and legal status of Andrei Sakharov and Yelena Bonner; (2) should void all charges against Yelena Bonner and issue her an exit visa for the purpose of obtaining medical care outside the Soviet Union; and (3) should allow Andrei Sakharov and Yelena Bonner to live in the country of their choice. SEC. 2. The Congress urges the President— (1) to protest, in the strongest possible terms and at the highest levels, the Soviet Government's continued refusal to provide specific information as to the whereabouts, health, and legal status of Andrei Sakharov and Yelena Bonner, and its continued refusal to issue her an exit visa; and (2) to call upon all other signatory nations of the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to join in such protests. SEC. 3. The Clerk of the House shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Soviet Ambassador to the United States and to the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Agreed to July 24, 1984.
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