[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN SOLIDARITY WITH ALL VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF TORTURE

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise today to draw attention to the 
barbaric practice of torture. Yesterday--June 26th, was the 3rd annual 
U.N. International Day in Support of Torture Victims and Survivors. The 
Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition has designated this 
week, June 26th--June 30th, the week of commemoration of torture 
victims and survivors. Mr. President, colleagues, we should take this 
week to honor victims of torture, but more importantly, we should use 
this week as a reminder that together, we can make our world torture-
free.
  Torture has no ideological, geographical, or other boundaries--
survivors of torture are everywhere. The practice of torture is one of 
the most serious human rights abuses of our time. According to the 1999 
Amnesty International report, torture and other forms of severe ill-
treatment conducted by government security forces, or condoned by other 
government officials, occurred in 125 countries last year.
  As a Senator from Minnesota, I am extraordinarily proud of the Center 
for Victims of Torture in Minneapolis, which since 1985 has been doing 
pioneering work in addressing the complex needs of survivors of 
torture. And while we have come a long way in the last fifteen years in 
raising awareness of torture and helping torture victims, there is 
still much more we should and could be doing to stop this terrible 
practice.
  My own agenda in the Senate has included a number of human rights 
initiatives, including the sponsorship of the original Torture Victims 
Relief Act in 1998, which authorized funding to support foreign and 
domestic treatment centers in providing services to the millions of 
survivors of torture worldwide and the estimated 400,000 survivors in 
this country alone. Repressive governments frequently torture those who 
are defending human rights and democracy in their own country, and the 
Torture Victims Relief Act recognizes the debt we owe to these 
courageous people who have made such a sacrifice for cherished 
principles.
  It is hard to imagine that in today's world torture still exists, but 
it does. In solidarity with all victims of torture, I ask you to join 
me this week in honoring them by helping raise awareness about torture 
worldwide. All week the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support 
Coalition will be requesting meetings with members and staff, and 
conducting seminars to educate the public about torture. I urge you 
meet with the Coalition or to attend a seminar to learn the truth about 
the brutality of this crime. Educating yourself and the public about 
this terrible human rights abuse is the best way to honor its victims. 
Together we can end this barbaric practice. Together we can put a stop 
to torture.

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