506
PARTISAN REVIEW
Another subject which is closely connected to questions of
peace, trust, and understanding among countries is the international
defense of human rights. Freedom of opinion, freedom to exchange
information, and freedom of movement are necessary for true ac–
countability of the authoritites which in turn prevents abuses of pow–
er in domestic and international matters. I believe that such ac–
countability would make impossible tragic mistakes like the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan and would inhibit manifestations of an ex–
pansionist foreign policy and acts of internal repression.
The unrestricted sale of newspapers, magazines , and books
published abroad would be a major step toward effective freedom of
information in totalitarian countries . Perhaps even more significant
would be the abolition of censorship which should concern first of all
the scientists and intelligentsia of totalitarian countries .
It
is impor–
tant to demand a halt to jamming of foreign broadcasts which de–
prives millions of access to the uncensored information needed to
form an independent judgment of events . (Jamming was resumed in
the USSR in August 1980 after a seven year interval.)
I am convinced that support of Amnesty International's call for
a general, worldwide amnesty for prisoners of conscience is of spe–
cial importance . The political amnesties proclaimed by a number of
countries in recent years have helped to improve the atmosphere . An
amnesty for prisoners of conscience in the USSR, in Eastern
Europe, and in all other countries where political prisoners or pris–
oners of conscience are detained would not only be of major humani–
tarian significance but could also enhance international confidence
and security.
The worldwide character of the scientific community assumes
particular importance when dealing with such problems. By its in–
ternational defense of persecuted scientists and of all persons whose
rights have been violated, the scientific community confirms its in–
ternational mandate which is so essential for successful scientific
work and for service to society.
Western scientists are familiar with the names of many Soviet
colleagues who have been subjected to unlawful repressions. (I shall
confine my discussion to the Soviet Union since I am better in–
formed about it, but serious human rights violations occur in other
countries including Eastern European countries.) The individuals I
mention have neither advocated nor used violence since they con–
sider publicity the only acceptable, effective, and nonpernicious way
of defending human rights. Thus, they are all prisoners of con-
