U.S. Rep Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations and Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission), called today for improved enforcement and reauthorization of the Torture Victims Relief Act (TVRA) of 1998. In a hearing before the Subcommittee, Chairman Smith said that the law had marked a watershed in human rights legislation, but that expanded implementation was urgently needed. 

    Following the hearing, the reauthorization bill was approved by the Subcommittee. 

    “In 1998, Congress took an historic step toward repairing the broken lives of thousands of men and women,” said Chairman Smith. “Now we have to go even further both to help the victims of torture and to reach out to those who still have no place to turn in their suffering.”

    The Torture Relief Victims Act provides support for programs and centers that offers specialized treatment for torture survivors and their families in the United States and abroad. The purpose of today’s subcommittee hearing was to examine how effective implementation of the law has been and to set the stage for reauthorization of the law. 

    “Our witnesses have shown today that we have been enormously effective in aiding those who have been tortured, but they have also made clear that we have only scratched the surface. There is much more that needs to be done,” said Smith.

    The new bill authorizes $12 million in FY 2006 for overseas treatment centers through USAID’s Victims of Torture Fund. In addition, the measure authorizes $7 million in FY 2006 for programs administered through the U.N. Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture, and $25 million for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ various funds for domestic treatment centers. There are currently 27 programs in 16 states that are assisted by HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement. 

    “The number of survivors seeking treatment at U.S. centers funded through the TVRA has gone from 935 in 1999, to 3,664 in 2002. The need is there, and we can’t turn our backs on the suffering,” said Smith.

    Some areas of the country have significant refugee and immigrant communities but no service providers, including Miami, New Orleans, Cleveland, Kansas City and Seattle as prime examples.

    “You can’t help but be proud of the help this country has given to torture victims around the globe,” said Smith. “Still, when you start looking at the numbers and at the scope of the problem, you can’t imagine the suffering that is still going on.”