[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS AND THEIR 
                   STATEMENT ON IRAQI PRISONER ABUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to place in our Nation's Record 
the statement issued by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious on 
May 7, 2004, regarding the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib 
Prison.

       The Leadership Conference of Women Religious joins its 
     voice with other faith-based organizations and human rights 
     groups in expressing our abhorrence and shame at the abuse 
     perpetrated on Iraqi prisoners by some members of the U.S. 
     military. These inexcusable atrocities violate our common 
     humanity.
       We do not accept the explanation of our government leaders 
     that these acts were the behavior of a few individuals. 
     Rather, we see these abusive actions as symptomatic of a 
     deeper, pervasive sickness. All of us share the 
     responsibility and the blame--the soldiers who performed 
     these heinous acts, military officials who have oversight for 
     the treatment of prisoners, U.S. government officials who 
     ignored reports of these abuses, and all of us who have 
     contributed in some way to our culture of violence.
       The Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an 
     organization representing 73,000 Catholic women religious in 
     the United States, urges that the following actions be taken 
     to begin to address these serious violations of human dignity 
     and human rights:
       Now that President Bush has issued a late and limited 
     apology for the abusive treatment of Iraqi prisoners, that 
     there be a thorough investigation, and that the results be 
     made public
       That this investigation include any personnel regardless of 
     rank or office who had knowledge of these atrocities and 
     allowed them to continue with impunity
       That any military, intelligence, or privately contracted 
     personnel found to have engaged in or encouraged acts of 
     torture or inhumane treatment be prosecuted
       That there be a complete and public Congressional oversight 
     hearing and investigation into the treatment of all detainees 
     held by the U.S. military anywhere in the world, an 
     investigation which will allow Members of Congress to 
     exercise their powers and rights to enable the balance of 
     power to be restored
       That all prisoners held by the United States be granted 
     access to international monitoring groups such as the Red 
     Cross, the Red Crescent, Amnesty International, and the 
     United Nations
       That U.S. government and military officials make a 
     commitment to protect the human dignity and rights of the 
     Iraqi people.
       As leaders of religious congregations we reach out to our 
     Muslim sisters and brothers. We grieve with you. We share 
     your outrage. We will continue to pray and work for social 
     justice, peace, and respect for human dignity and human 
     rights of all people. As a nation we share in the shame. 
     Together we must work to assure that these abuses never 
     happen again.

  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the words of 
the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and all they represent as 
we work toward human rights for all individuals around the world.

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