[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E811-E812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF TORTURE VICTIMS RELIEF ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, in 1998, Congress first passed 
the Torture Victims Relief Act. Today, I am introducing the Torture 
Victims Relief Reauthorization Act. America's commitment to and 
compassion for the survivors of torture remains undiminished. That 
commitment should be manifested in concrete action, including support 
for torture treatment programs that can help these victims rebuild the 
lives that others have sought to destroy.
  Nationwide, there are an estimated 400,000 survivors of torture, most 
of whom came to this country seeking refuge from persecution. 
Worldwide, it is impossible to count the numbers. Often, torture 
victims have been targeted by repressive regimes because of their 
independent political, religious or organized labor activities. Torture 
sends a message of fear throughout the network of a leader's family and 
community. As one African religious leader has said, ``If they'll do 
this to me, what will they do to my flock?''
  The Torture Victims Relief Act authorizes money for the Department of 
Health and Human Services to assist torture survivors in the United 
States; assists victims of torture through treatment centers in 
countries abroad; and authorizes a contribution to the United Nations 
Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture.
  U.S. leadership in this area is truly consequential. I recently met 
with Brita Sydhoff, the new Executive Director of the International 
Rehabilitation Center for the Victims of Torture, based in Denmark. Her 
organization has challenged European governments to match the 
generosity of our country. Because of U.S. leadership, Spain and Italy 
have dramatically increased their contribution to the UN Fund for the 
Victims of Torture. I was also deeply heartened to learn that the 
Danish center, along with the Chicago-based Kovlar Center, is helping 
to establish treatment centers in Iraq, so that the many victims of 
Saddam Hussein's torturous regime can receive help.
  The work that torture treatment centers undertake is profoundly 
challenging. In 2003, Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi was brutally 
tortured and killed by Iranian authorities. A few weeks ago, an Iranian 
doctor who examined her body released new details about the brutality 
Ms. Kazemi suffered before she died. These revelations have been 
especially painful for Ezat Mossallanejad, a counselor for the Canadian 
Center for the Victims of Torture:

[[Page E812]]

two decades ago, he was also tortured in Iran, as punishment for his 
human rights work. In Canada, as a counselor, he has helped treat many 
other refugees who were tortured at the same prison where Zahra Kazemi 
was killed. Last year, his center treated 76 Iranian torture survivors; 
26 were children.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot turn our backs on people like this. With 
medical, psychological and social services, torture survivors have the 
potential to become contributing members of their communities. I hope 
my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill.

                          ____________________