[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF THE VICTIMS OF TORTURE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Commission 
on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I find myself dealing with the 
issue of torture many times over during the course of any given year--
torture committed by Russian forces in Chechnya, systematic police 
abuse of Roma in Greece, prisoners tortured to death in Uzbekistan, to 
give just a few recent examples. Unfortunately, torture remains the 
weapon of choice by many oppressive regimes, systematically used to 
silence political opposition, punish religious minorities, or target 
those who are ethnically or racially different from those in power.
  But on the occasion of the United Nations' Day in Support of the 
Victims of Torture, I'd like to reflect on the steps that can be taken 
to help prevent torture from occurring in the first place.
  Torture is prohibited by a multitude of international instruments, 
including documents of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in 
Europe (OSCE). Moreover, it is absolute and nonderogable under any 
circumstances, even wartime. The challenge, then, is to translate this 
commitment into practice.
  Amnesty International has issued a number of recommendations to help 
end torture. They are remarkably straightforward and easy to grasp: 
officials at the highest level should condemn torture; governments 
should ensure access to prisoners; secret detentions should be 
prohibited; and confessions obtained through torture should be excluded 
from evidence in the courtroom. I believe the implementation of these 
fundamental principles would have a significant impact in reducing 
torture. At the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Annual Session two years 
ago, I introduced a resolution, passed by the Assembly, that built on 
these basic concepts.
  While we work to eradicate torture, we must not forget those who have 
already become its victims. Along with Representative Tom Lantos, I 
have introduced H.R. 1813, legislation to re-authorize the Torture 
Victims Relief Act and the list of cosponsors is growing. The Senate 
companion bill, S. 854 was introduced by Senator Coleman. This 
reauthorization will continue funding for centers here in the United 
States that help provide treatment for the estimated half million 
survivors, most of whom came to this country as refugees. It will also 
provide funds, distributed through the Agency for International 
Development or the U.N. Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture, for 
treatment centers abroad. While life for torture survivors can never be 
the same, treatment can provide victims the hope of becoming stable and 
productive members of their communities. I urge my colleagues in the 
House to join in supporting this measure as a tangible support of the 
victims of torture.

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