HC Deb 21 May 1985 vol 79 c403W
Mr. Coombs

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the Soviet authorities about the hunger strike of Mr. Yuri Balovlenkov, and press for him to be granted an exit visa to rejoin his family in America under the terms of the Helsinki final act 1975.

Mr. Rifkind

We have repeatedly made known our concern at the Soviet Union's failure to implement its human rights commitments under the Helsinki final act, including those which relate to family reunification. We shall continue to raise these matters in bilateral contacts with the Soviet authorities, and in the CSCE framework to ensure that individuals such as Mr. Balovlenkov and the many others like him are not forgotten.