[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 23, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL TORTURE SURVIVORS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Congressional 
Human Rights Caucus co-Chairs, Congressman Lantos and Congressman Wolf, 
for inviting me to speak at this important event.
  June 26 marks the United Nations' international day in support of 
torture victims. This declared day honors the essential human right of 
freedom from torture for all, as guaranteed by international law and 
defined under the United Nations Convention against Torture. Despite 
this international law, however, over 117 countries still practice 
torture, according to Amnesty International.
  It is a practice that occurs both in undemocratic societies as well 
as in countries that are U.S. allies and that receive significant U.S. 
foreign aid. Torture is used against politicians, union leaders, 
journalists, health professionals, human rights defenders, people in 
detention or prison, members of ethnic or religious minorities, student 
leaders, and ordinary citizens, children as well as adults.
  The physical and psychological ramifications of torture are 
incomprehensible and can last a lifetime. There is an estimated 100 
million torture survivors worldwide, with 500,000 foreign torture 
survivors residing in the United States. Rehabilitation centers have 
been set up around the world to treat victims of torture, yet more must 
still be done. Today we will hear testimonies from expert witnesses 
regarding the treatment of torture from the perspectives of human 
rights workers, physicians, and torture survivors.
  At this time I would like to thank the Human Rights Caucus and the 
Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Committee for hosting this 
important and timely briefing.
   




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