[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3013-S3014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE

 Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I would like to call the 
Senate's attention to a recent initiative that addresses a very 
important international issue: the use of torture. At its last session, 
the United Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim June 26th as 
``United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.'' 
The General Assembly proclaimed the day ``with a view to the total 
eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention 
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or 
Punishment, which entered into force on 26 June 1987.'' Governments and 
non-governmental organizations are developing plans on how to observe 
this day in a manner that will recognize the needs of torture victims 
and the necessity of preventing torture.
  Torture is a most effective weapon against democracy. Torture victims 
are often in the forefront of the struggle for human rights and 
democracy in their own country. The advocates for these ideals are 
tortured in order to disable them and instill fear in anyone who might 
aspire for human rights and democracy. As a refuge for the persecuted, 
the United States may have as many as 400,000 victims of torture. They 
come from all regions of the world. Many come from Iraq, Iran, China, 
Ethiopia, Liberia, El Salvador, Guatemala and many other countries too 
numerous to mention. Because of their experience with torture, they 
often have special difficulties applying for asylum and adjusting to a 
new country. They must overcome the physical and mental effects of 
torture--the latter often requiring months or years of therapy. 
Nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety attacks, and depression are just some 
of the mental consequences of torture. In some cases it may be years 
before the victim recognizes that treatment is necessary to overcome 
these psychological roadblocks.
  Plans are being made around the world to recognize the contribution 
of torture victims. In Denmark, the International Rehabilitation 
Council for Torture Victims and the Rehabilitation and Research Centre 
for Torture Victims are planning a series of event and activities. In 
Greece, where torture was prevalent not so many years ago, the Medical 
Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (MRCT) will hold an event at 
what was, during the dictatorship, the Special Interrogating Unit of 
the Military Police (a notorious torture and detention center). The 
building is now used for historical memorial purposes, and symbolically 
the area has been renamed Park of Freedom. A variety of activities are 
planned, including speeches by torture victims and refugees.
  I am very proud that the first and most comprehensive treatment 
center for victims of torture in the United States, the Center for 
Victims of Torture, is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It now treats 
an average of 150 clients a year who come from all regions of the world 
and are now settled in Minnesota. Many of the Center's clients and 
former clients are now making significant contributions to our 
communities and we are grateful to have them. The Center is planning a 
special event for June 26th.
  Mr. President, on February 4th I introduced the Torture Victims 
Relief Act (S.1606). My bill is co-sponsored by Senators Tom Harkin, 
Edward Kennedy, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Barbara Boxer, Byron Dorgan, 
and Richard Durbin. The legislation provides a focus and a framework of 
the debate about where torture survivors, and our response to the 
practice of torture by other countries, fit within our foreign policy 
priorities. Providing treatment for torture survivors is one of the 
best ways we can show our commitment to fighting human rights abuses 
around the world.
  Mr. President, I strongly urge this administration and this Congress 
to undertake activities on June 26th to recognize the important 
contributions torture victims have made on behalf of human rights and 
democracy and the contributions they have made to our country as well. 
I suggest that President Clinton invite some torture victims to attend 
a ceremony at the White House where they would be recognized for their 
contributions. The invitees should be from countries representing a 
wide geographic and political distribution.
  On that occasion the President could announce some initiatives the 
administration is taking to support torture victims and prevent 
torture. I would suggest that the President consider taking the 
following initiatives: (1) Increase the U.S. contribution to the United 
Nations Voluntary Fund from $1.5 million to $3.0 million, as 
recommended in the conference report of the State Department 
authorization bill; (2) Direct the Agency for International Development 
to set aside $5 million in fiscal year 1998 funds to assist treatment 
centers for torture victims abroad; (3) Direct the Department of Health 
and Human Services to set aside $5 million in fiscal year 1998 funds to 
assist treatment centers for victims of torture in the United States; 
and (4) Announce administration support for the Torture Victims Relief 
Act (S. 1606).
  Finally, Mr. President, I would like to mention the valuable 
contribution being made by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for 
Victims of Torture. It provides financial assistance to treatment 
centers for victims of torture throughout the world. These centers are 
providing both an essential humanitarian assistance program as well as 
an important strategic instrument for advancing human rights and 
democracy around the world. In 1997 the Fund assisted 104 projects in 
about 70 countries on a budget of little more than $3 million dollars. 
An article that appeared in Human Rights, a publication initiated by 
the new U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, tells 
why we need to increase our contribution to the Fund. I ask that the 
text of the article be printed in the Record.
  The article follows:

                   U.N. Support to Victims of Torture

                          (By Daniel Premont)

       Torture continues to occur on a worldwide basis, despite 
     enhanced efforts by Governments and organizations in keeping 
     with provisions contained in domestic law and international 
     human rights conventions whose objective is its total 
     eradication.
       The practice of torture was first prohibited in 1948 by the 
     Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by the 
     International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of 
     the Crime of Genocide; the concept was reaffirmed in 1966 by 
     the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and 
     more recently, in 1984, by the Convention against Torture and 
     Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.


           what is the voluntary fund for victims of torture?

       The effects of torture should not be under-estimated. 
     Physical and mental consequences of torture can endure for 
     several years and may be irreversible, often affecting not 
     only thousands of victims themselves, but also their 
     relatives. One of the means of mitigating the subsequent 
     effects of torture on victims and their families is to 
     provide them with medical, psychological, social, legal and 
     economic aid. With this in mind, the General Assembly created 
     the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture in 
     1982. The purpose of the Fund is to receive voluntary 
     contributions and distribute them to non-governmental 
     organizations and treatment centres for assisting victims of 
     torture and their relatives whose human rights have been 
     severely violated as a result of torture, as well as for the 
     funding of projects for training healthcare professionals 
     specialized in the treatment of victims of torture.
       The Fund is administered by the United Nations Secretary-
     General with a Board of

[[Page S3014]]

     Trustees acting in an advisory capacity and comprising five 
     members with wide experience in the field of human rights. 
     The members serve in their personal capacity and are 
     appointed by the Secretary-General for a renewable three-year 
     term of office on the basis of equitable geographical 
     distribution. Currently, members of the Board of Trustees are 
     Jaap Walkate, Chairman, from The Netherlands; Ribot Hatano 
     from Japan; Elisabeth Odio-Benito from Costa Rica; Ivan 
     Tosevsky from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and 
     Amos Wako from Kenya.
       The inadequacy of available resources is a limiting factor 
     in the field of assistance of victims; as a consequence, 
     programmes of assistance are subjected to interruptions. For 
     some 100 organisations the support of the United Nations 
     Voluntary Fund remains essential.


                   how does the voluntary fund work?

       The Fund receives projects which focus on providing 
     medical, psychological, economic, social and legal assistance 
     to victims of torture and to members of their families. A 
     few projects also share the objective of organizing 
     training seminars for health professionals specialized in 
     the treatment of torture victims.
       Each May, the Board of Trustees makes recommendations on 
     grants to the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 
     Subsequently, in the following month, on the basis of those 
     recommendations, the High Commissioner takes decisions on 
     behalf of the Secretary-General. As a final step, grants are 
     made available at the end of July.
       From 1983 to July 1997, the Fund has financed 255 projects 
     for direct assistance to torture victims. From US$ 2.5 to US$ 
     3 million of voluntary contributions received from about 30 
     Governments and a few individuals are disbursed every year to 
     projects in some 60 countries representative of all the 
     regions of the world. Further information on the activities 
     of the Voluntary Fund can be found in the latest annual 
     reports of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly (UN 
     document A/52/387) and to the Commission on Human Rights (UN 
     documents E/CN.4/1998/37 and Add.1).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                                                                    Grants       Grants     Percent     amount
                                                                  requested     awarded     granted    required
                                                                    (US$)        (US$)                  (US$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997...........................................................    6,800,000  \1\ 3,036,0    44.64     3,765,946
                                                                                       54
1996...........................................................    5,618,645  \1\ 2,535,5    45.1      3,083,145
                                                                                       00
1995...........................................................    5,827,645  \1\ 2,719,6    46.6      3,107,965
                                                                                       80
1994...........................................................    5,476,959  \1\ 3,698,0    67.5      1,778,879
                                                                                       80
1993...........................................................    5,289,413  \1\ 2,111,8    39.9      3,177,533
                                                                                       80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Each year, the grants awarded correspond to the total amounts which the Board of Trustees is able to
  recommend to the Secretary-General for allocation. In view of the insufficient contributions received, the
  Board avoids the practice of carrying forward a reserve from one year to the next. The Secretary-General
  follows this recommendation by the Board.
 
As at 30 November 1997 only US$ 1,174,499 has been paid into the Fund. Provided that the number of grant
  requested is maintained at the 1997 level, the Fund will need an additional amount of US$ 5,6 million to meet
  all requests.

                    some projects recently submitted

       Torture involves not only physical but also psychological 
     forms, sometimes with long-term sequelae: in this regard, the 
     Fund is supporting a project whose objective is to provide 
     global assistance to formerly disappeared children of victims 
     of torture in Latin America. The organization identifies 
     disappeared children as those born in detention, abducted by 
     security forces and illegally adopted. Once located by the 
     organization, the children may be returned to their 
     biological families. The best interests of the child have to 
     be taken into consideration. This project consists of two 
     main parts: investigation--some 1,030 interviews were carried 
     out in the past year in conjunction with blood tests and 
     analyses of genetic data--and psychological support provided 
     to some 431 persons during 1996. Most of these persons suffer 
     from sequelae of post-traumatic stress disorder including 
     anxiety, nightmares, depression, as well as affective and 
     intellectual inhibitions and benefit from individual 
     psychotherapy. The number of youths seeking assistance 
     remains high while many children have yet to be found: to 
     date, 172 children still need to be located and 6 who were 
     found have yet to be returned to their biological families.
       Another project which was being implemented in Asia in 1996 
     focused on providing physical and mental relief to torture 
     survivors and their families. Firstly, fact-finding 
     missions on the incidence of torture were carried out 
     establishing that people had been subjected to torture by 
     the police and other law enforcement agencies: this 
     involved methods such as beatings all over the body, 
     kicking them with police boots, applying electric shocks, 
     scalding them with hot water, suspending them by the legs 
     from roofs and inflicting them with bullet injuries. Long-
     term consequences, apart from obvious physical complaints, 
     were psychological and included phobia, depression, sexual 
     problems and mental disorders. The more commonly occurring 
     complaints were social maladjustments at work, in the 
     family and society in general, through the overall loss of 
     social dignity and a departure from social values. In 
     1995, 263 victims between 15 and 45 years of age received 
     treatment. The drug therapy included prescription of 
     antipsychotics, physiotherapy as well as psychotherapeutic 
     assistance. Parallel to the main objective of providing 
     physical and mental relief to the victims, the Care Center 
     organized other activities such as seminars on torture for 
     health professionals, missions in collaboration with the 
     national Human Rights Commission in order to establish 
     contact with victims, encourage them to visit the Car 
     Center and prepare a report for submission to governmental 
     authorities asking for justice. The organization also 
     established a legal division which has already 
     successfully assisted in five cases.
       In North America, a treatment centre is currently providing 
     clinical services to victims of torture who are now refugees, 
     mainly from Africa and the Caribbean. 167 persons were 
     assisted who had been subjected to rape, electric shocks, 
     deprivation of human needs, as well as being obliged to eat 
     excrement or perform acts of violence or murder often 
     targeting their own family members. The treatment provided 
     ranges from psychiatric and medical examination, to treatment 
     in the form of crisis intervention and support counselling, 
     psychotherapy, physiotherapy, social service, education, 
     medical referrals, social support interpreters and legal 
     assistance. In 1996, the center also established a children's 
     art therapy branch as a medium for treating anxiety and 
     dysfunctions related to traumatic experiences which children 
     were unable to express verbally in the family setting.
       The Commission on Human Rights, by its resolution 1997/38 
     of 11 April 1997, requested that the General Assembly 
     proclaim 26 June a United Nations international day in 
     support of the victims of torture and appealed to all 
     Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to 
     do so to contribute annually to the Fund.

                          ____________________