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Congressional Record Statements
United States
of America |
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 106th CONGRESS, 1st SESSION |
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| Vol. 0 |
Washington, Friday, November 5, 1999 |
No. 0 |
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TORTURE IN TURKEY
Friday, November 5, 1999
TORTURE IN TURKEY
HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
OF NEW JERSEY
Mr. Speaker, in a matter of days President Clinton and the leaders of the OSCE
participating States will gather in Istanbul, Turkey for the final summit of the century. Among the important issues to be
discussed will be a charter on European security. As the leaders of our countries assemble on the banks of the
Bosphorus, few are likely to realize that the torturers continue to ply their trade--crushing the lives of countless men,
women, and even children.
In recent days I have received disturbing reports that highlight the fact that torture continues in Turkey despite Ankara's
stated zero tolerance policy. Once again, we see that those who attempt to heal the physical and emotion scars of victims
of torture are themselves often victimized by the so-called ``Anti-Terror Police.'' A case in point involves Dr. Zeki Uzun,
a medical professional volunteering his services to the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey's Izmir Treatment and
Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Uzun was reportedly forced from his clinic by Anti-Terror Police and held for interrogation
about past patients he had treated. During the interrogation, he was apparently subjected to various kinds of torture,
including having a plastic bag placed over his head to stop his breathing. Dr. Uzun was held by the police for a period of
six days during which time he was repeatedly abused.
In March I chaired a Helsinki Commission hearing on human rights in Turkey in anticipation of the OSCE Summit that
will be held in Istanbul, November 17-18. Experts testified to the continued widespread use of torture in Turkey,
including the increasing use of electric shock. The gripping testimony included the case of torture against a two-year-old
child.
Mr. Speaker, I urge President Clinton to place the issue of prevention of torture at the top of his agenda when he meets
with Prime Minister Ecevit and include this longstanding concerns in his address before the Turkish Grand National
Assembly. If the Government of Turkey is serious about ending the practice of torture, it must publicly condemn such
gross violations of human rights , adopt and implement effective procedural safeguards against torture, and vigorously
prosecute those who practice torture. Instead of treating individuals like Dr. Uzun as enemies, Ankara should direct its
resources to rooting out those elements of the security apparatus responsible for torture.
Countries
Turkey
Issues
Prevention of Torture
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