DATE=6/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234567
TITLE=VICTIMS OF TORTURE (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: FRIDAY (6/26) IS THE FIRST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY IN
SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE ... A DAY INTENDED TO DRAW
ATTENTION TO THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM TORTURE
AROUND THE WORLD. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED
NATIONS ON ONE OF THE OLDEST FORMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE.
TEXT: IT CAN TAKE THE FORM OF PHYSICAL ABUSE .. RAPES, BLOWS TO
THE SOLES OF THE FEET, SUFFOCATION IN WATER, BURNS AND BEATINGS.
IT CAN ALSO TARGET PSYCHOLOGICAL STABILITY, THROUGH SLEEP
DEPRIVATION AND ABUSE DESIGNED TO BREAK DOWN AN INDIVIDUAL'S
PERSONALITY.
UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS SAY IT IS AT THE SAME TIME ONE OF THE
MOST ANCIENT AND MODERN TYPES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE, AS NEW FORMS
OF TORTURE ARE BEING DEVISED ON NEARLY A DAILY BASIS.
BACRE WALY NDIAYE (EN-DEE-EYE) HEADS THE NEW YORK OFFICE OF THE
U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MR. NDIAYE SAYS MORE
ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE FOCUSED ON FIGHTING TORTURE.
/// NDIAYE ACT ///
WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM WHICH IS IMPUNITY OF
TORTURE. AND NOW, I BELIEVE THAT THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR
ON TORTURE IS IN ROME TO MAKE SURE THAT TORTURE WILL BE
VERY HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF THE FORTHCOMING INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL COURT.
/// END ACT ///
MR. NDIAYE SAYS THERE IS ALSO A NEED TO INCREASE THE ASSISTANCE
GIVEN TO VICTIMS OF TORTURE. IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE ARE
ABOUT ONE DOZEN MEDICAL CENTERS FOCUSING ON THE TREATMENT OF
TORTURE VICTIMS. ONE OF THOSE IS THE BELLEVUE-NEW YORK
UNIVERSITY CENTER, HEADED BY DOCTOR ALLEN KELLER.
/// KELLER ACT ///
WHAT TORTURE DOES IS THAT IT ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY AN
INDIVIDUAL'S DIGNITY AND THEIR SENSE OF TRUST. WHAT OUR
PROGRAM AND WHAT THE OTHER TREATMENT CENTERS IN THE
UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD -- CENTERS THAT
BENEFIT TREMENDOUSLY FROM THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE
UNITED NATIONS -- WHAT OUR PROGRAMS TRY TO DO IS TO
RESTORE TO TORTURE SURVIVORS THEIR DIGNITY, RESTORE
THEIR SENSE OF TRUST AND HELP THEM GET ON WITH THEIR
LIVES.
/// END ACT ///
MR. KELLER SAYS ALMOST ALL OF THE PATIENTS TREATED AT HIS CENTER
ARE IMMIGRANTS. HE SAYS THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 400-THOUSAND
TORTURE VICTIMS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
SOME OF THE FUNDING FOR CENTERS TREATING TORTURE VICTIMS IN THE
UNITED STATES AND MORE THAN 50 OTHER COUNTRIES COMES FROM A
SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS FUND ESTABLISHED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE
FUND PLANS TO DISBURSE ABOUT FOUR MILLION DOLLARS IN 1998,
PROVIDING TREATMENT FOR ALMOST 60 THOUSAND TORTURE VICTIMS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO
25-Jun-98 4:35 PM EDT (2035 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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