[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 6 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRAMS:
  S. 1603. A bill to provide a comprehensive program of support for 
victims of torture; to the Committee on the Judiciary.


                  THE SURVIVORS OF TORTURE SUPPORT ACT

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, most people do not realize that torture is 
practiced or condoned in more than 100 countries.

  We all agree that torture is a horrible act. It is designed to 
physically and emotionally cripple individuals, to render them 
incapable of mounting an effective opposition to a regime or a system 
of beliefs.
  Torture does not affect just the victim--it sends a strong message to 
the victim's family, community, and nation that dissent will not be 
tolerated. Torture is not used as a weapon just against an individual--
it is used as a weapon against democracy.
  As a nation, we cannot stand by and continue to let the victims of 
torture suffer in silence. We must do more than proclaim that the 
practice of torture is abhorrent. We must provide assistance to torture 
survivors, for they truly are not able to help themselves.
  The ``Survivors of Torture Support Act'' will assist victims of 
torture both here and abroad. While the practice of torture is not a 
problem in this country, many victims of torture flee to the United 
States to seek refuge.
  As many as 400,000 torture survivors now live in the United States. 
Many of the survivors may not be getting the assistance they need. 
Other survivors of torture remain abroad; they deserve effective 
treatment as well.
  The ``Survivors of Torture Support Act'' makes changes in U.S. 
immigration policy to account for the special needs of torture 
survivors.
  This bill designates torture victims as refugees of special 
humanitarian concern.
  It ensures expedited processing for asylum applicants who present 
credible claims of subjection to torture. It also establishes 
procedures for taking into account the effects of torture in the 
adjudication of such claims.
  This bill grants the presumption that such applicants shall not be 
detained while their asylum claims are pending, and provides exemption 
from expedited removal procedures for individuals in danger of being 
subjected to torture.
  Many times, torture survivors are not identified by U.S. officials 
because consular, immigration, and also asylum personnel have not 
received adequate training in either the identification of evidence of 
torture or the techniques for interviewing torture victims.
  The ``Survivors of Torture Support Act'' requires that the Attorney 
General and the Secretary of State provide training necessary for these 
officials to recognize the effects of torture on victims, and the way 
this can affect the interview or hearing process.
  It also requires special training in interview techniques, so that 
survivors of torture are not traumatized by this experience.
  Torture survivors can be productive members of American society if 
they have access to treatment. That is why this bill provides $50 
million over three years for treatment of victims of torture in the 
United States and abroad.
  My home state of Minnesota is fortunate to have the first 
comprehensive treatment center in the United States for victims of 
torture.
  The Center for Victims of Torture has treated more than 500 patients 
since it was established in 1985, and by helping those patients 
overcome the atrocities suffered in their homelands, has assisted them 
in becoming productive members of our communities.
  In addition to providing treatment to persons who have been tortured 
by foreign governments, the Center has been active in providing 
training and support for treatment centers abroad. I have learned a 
great deal from visiting the Center and meeting its clients and staff.
  Support for legislation to assist torture survivors has been 
increasing since Senator Dave Durenberger first introduced it in 1994.
  I have worked closely with my colleague from Minnesota, Senator 
Wellstone, in developing legislation to address the very real needs of 
these survivors. While we have chosen different paths in bringing this 
issue before the Senate, our bills differ primarily in approach.
  Therefore, I applaud his efforts and look forward to working closely 
with him to move legislation forward in 1998 that will assist victims 
of torture who reside in the U.S. and also abroad.
  The United States should take a leading role in encouraging the 
establishment of additional treatment programs both at home and also 
abroad.
  We are making progress in this direction. The U.S. is now the largest 
contributor to the United Nations voluntary fund for victims of 
torture. We must continue to support treatment centers, like the one in 
Minnesota, which help those who cannot help themselves.
  Again, I urge my colleagues to support this much-needed legislation.
                                 ______