[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 96 (Thursday, June 26, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMBATING TORTURE AND ASSISTING VICTIMS OF TORTURE

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I rise to address the barbaric practices 
that constitute torture as we mark the United Nations Day in Support of 
the Victims of Torture. Astonishingly, an estimated 500,000 victims of 
torture live in the United States today, including many in my home 
State of Colorado. The United States has provided vital leadership in 
the campaign to prevent torture around the world. The United States 
must not equivocate on this most basic of human rights.
  While the United States has consistently spoken out forcefully 
against the use of torture around the world, serious questions have 
been raised suggesting U.S. complicity in torture as part of the war 
against terrorism. This prompted me to join other members of the 
Helsinki Commission in writing to the White House recently urging an 
investigation of ``serious allegations that the United States is using 
torture, both directly and indirectly, during interrogations of those 
suspected of terrorism.'' Against this backdrop, I urge the 
administration to issue a forthright statement on torture. In his State 
of the Union Address, President Bush described the horrific forms of 
torture employed by the Hussein regime and concluded, ``If this is not 
evil, then evil has no meaning.'' Even as experts document the scope of 
torture in Iraq, there must be no doubt concerning U.S. policy and 
practice.
  As Cochairman of the Helsinki Commission, I am particularly concerned 
that torture remains a tolerated if not promoted practice by come 
countries, even within the membership of the 55-nation Organization for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE.
  In some places, like Uzbekistan, members of the political opposition 
or religious minorities are especially likely to be the victims of 
torture. Tragically, two more people there have joined the long list of 
those who have died in custody amid credible allegations of abuse and 
torture, just weeks after the European Bank for Reconstruction and 
Development hosted a prestigious meeting in Tashkent, and days after 
the Secretary of State determined Uzbekistan is eligible for continued 
U.S. assistance. Moreover, the shortsighted practice of making martyrs 
out of Islamic extremists may have exactly the opposite effect the 
government claims to be seeking in its efforts to combat terrorism.
  In Georgia, torture and abuse comes hand in hand with police 
corruption. In the most recent State Department Country Report on human 
rights in Georgia, the Department stated: ``[s]ecurity forces continued 
to torture, beat, and otherwise abuse detainees. . . . NGOs also blamed 
several deaths in custody on physical abuse, torture, or inhumane and 
life-threatening prison conditions.'' Even President Shevardnadze has, 
in the past, acknowledged the prevalence of abuse against detainees and 
prisoners. I welcome a new initiative of the OSCE Mission in Georgia to 
combat torture, but I would also note that antitorture initiatives have 
come and gone in Georgia with little to show for it. Without real 
political will, I am afraid this latest initiative may end up like the 
others.
  In Turkey--a country which has been given particular attention by the 
Helsinki Commission--even the doctors who treat the victims of torture 
have become targets themselves. Their offices have been raided, records 
seized, and even some doctors have been arrested and tortured. 
Moreover, the patients of these doctors, all of whom have already 
suffered at the hands of the authorities, have often been rearrested, 
retortured and recharged based on their testimonies given to the 
medical authorities.
  As a result of these practices, Turkey has been repeatedly sanctioned 
by the European Court of Human Rights. The Turkish nongovernmental 
organization, the Human Rights Foundation, appears to be making some 
headway in defending these doctors. Last year, Turkey's Grand National 
Assembly has passed significant legislation with severe penalties for 
those convicted of torture. A major effort still needs to be made to 
conform the application of the law in the regional courts of Turkey 
with the intent of the parliamentarians. The Helsinki Commission will 
continue to monitor developments in Turkey and the implementation of 
this law.
  In the 1999 OSCE Istanbul Charter, the participating States committed 
themselves to ``eradicating torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading 
treatment or punishment throughout the OSCE area. To this end, we will 
promote legislation to provide procedural and substantive safeguards 
and remedies to combat these practices. We will assist victims and 
cooperate with relevant international organizations and nongovernmental 
organizations, as appropriate.''
  Clearly a strategy to confront and combat torture must emphasize 
prevention of torture, prosecution of those who commit torture, and 
assistance for the victims of torture. As we mark the United Nations 
Day in Support of the Victims of Torture, I note the good work being 
done by the Rocky Mountain Survivors Center, located in Denver. The 
center is part of a nationwide network committed to assisting the 
victims of torture living in the United States.

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