Jackson-Vanik - 1.17.2002

 

In Brief: Jackson-Vanik

March 2003 Update: New legislation to graduate Russia

Beginning in August 1972, the Soviet Union began assessing exorbitant “education reimbursement fees” (“diploma taxes”) on its citizens wishing to emigrate, primarily targeting Soviet Jews.  A coalition of major Jewish organizations worked with Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA) and Representative Charles Vanik (D-OH), and other prominent Members of Congress, to pressure the Soviet Union to end the diploma tax and eliminate barriers to free emigration.  The Jackson-Vanik Amendment links U.S. trade benefits, now known as Normal Trade Relations (NTR), to the emigration and human rights policies of Communist or formerly Communist countries.

The late Senator  Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson

Process: Jackson-Vanik authorizes the President to waive the restrictions for countries meeting minimal emigration standards and to certify to Congress which countries are in compliance with the provisions.  “Graduating” a country from Jackson-Vanik, granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) by act of Congress, permanently exempts that country from the Jackson-Vanik test.  While the waiving of Jackson-Vanik is generally based on a country’s emigration record, Congress may apply additional criteria in considering whether a country merits permanent graduation [see Georgia's graduation].   

Today: In a dramatic series of letters and public statements, U.S. and Russian leaders – and the organized Jewish community – have agreed to seek Russia’s “graduation” while affirming the principles of religious freedom and agreeing on the imperative of allowing Jews in Russia to continue their historic renaissance:  protection from anti-Semitism, and return of communal property (synagogues, schools, community centers, cemeteries) confiscated by the Soviets.  The Jackson-Vanik Amendment opens, “To assure the continued dedication of the United States to fundamental human rights…”  While the 1974 legislation focused on emigration rights, the underlying goals have not changed, and graduating Russia (granting it permanent and unrestricted free trade) only makes sense if these goals are validated through Congressional actions.  As Congress considers legislation to graduate Russia and other Soviet successor states from Jackson-Vanik, this is an opportunity to recognize the progress already achieved and to recommit the United States to promoting religious freedom in a post-Jackson-Vanik Russia.