[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 155 (Friday, November 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TORTURE IN TURKEY

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 1999

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, in a matter of days President 
Clinton and the leaders of the OSCE participating States will gather in 
Istanbul, Turkey for the final summit of the century. Among the 
important issues to be discussed will be a charter on European 
security. As the leaders of our countries assemble on the banks of the 
Bosphorus, few are likely to realize that the torturers continue to ply 
their trade--crushing the lives of countless men, women, and even 
children.
  In recent days I have received disturbing reports that highlight the 
fact that torture continues in Turkey despite Ankara's stated zero 
tolerance policy. Once again, we see that those who attempt to heal the 
physical and emotion scars of victims of torture are themselves often 
victimized by the so-called ``Anti-Terror Police.'' A case in point 
involves Dr. Zeki Uzun, a medical professional volunteering his 
services to the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey's Izmir Treatment and 
Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Uzun was reportedly forced from his clinic 
by Anti-Terror Police and held for interrogation about past patients he 
had treated. During the interrogation, he was apparently subjected to 
various kinds of torture, including having a plastic bag placed over 
his head to stop his breathing. Dr. Uzun was held by the police for a 
period of six days during which time he was repeatedly abused.
  In March I chaired a Helsinki Commission hearing on human rights in 
Turkey in anticipation of the OSCE Summit that will be held in 
Istanbul, November 17-18. Experts testified to the continued widespread 
use of torture in Turkey, including the increasing use of electric 
shock. The gripping testimony included the case of torture against a 
two-year-old child.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge President Clinton to place the issue of 
prevention of torture at the top of his agenda when he meets with Prime 
Minister Ecevit and include this longstanding concerns in his address 
before the Turkish Grand National Assembly. If the Government of Turkey 
is serious about ending the practice of torture, it must publicly 
condemn such gross violations of human rights, adopt and implement 
effective procedural safeguards against torture, and vigorously 
prosecute those who practice torture. Instead of treating individuals 
like Dr. Uzun as enemies, Ankara should direct its resources to rooting 
out those elements of the security apparatus responsible for torture.

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