[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             LORI BERENSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, for almost seven years, Lori 
Berenson, an American, has been imprisoned in Peru under exceptionally 
harsh conditions that have seriously affected her health. From the 
beginning, many of us have said that Lori's convictions were based on 
extremely flawed trials in which she was denied due process. Her first 
conviction by a hooded military tribunal was so tainted that it was 
thrown out by Peru. Earlier this month, the Inter-American Commission 
on Human Rights announced that her second trial was also flawed, 
determining that the Peruvian government violated Ms. Berenson's 
rights.
  Indeed, much of the evidence used against Lori was gathered during 
her discredited military trial, in many cases from witnesses who had 
been subjected to torture. Most of the witnesses have since recanted 
their earlier statements. The only witness against Lori at the second 
trial received a reduced sentence in return for his initial testimony 
condemning Lori and, on the eve of Lori's second trial, was given a new 
trial so that he can get another reduction in sentence. Furthermore, 
court proceedings clearly show that the judges had decided the verdict 
long before this trial began. How fair is a trial in which a judge 
proclaims a defendant guilty while witnesses are still being heard? 
Even this badly tainted court admitted that Lori was innocent of 
terrorist acts or of belonging to a terrorist organization. Further, 
the law under which Lori was convicted has been widely condemned by the 
international community for its broad scope and outrageously heavy 
penalties.
  The Inter-American Commission has spoken and Peru should listen. Lori 
has condemned terrorism and has said that she opposed the violence and 
deaths there have been. Peru embarrasses itself by continuing to keep 
her in prison based on a flawed trial and an indefensible statute.
  She has been in prison for far too long. It is time for Lori to come 
home.

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