Speech #930284465

Another was reprimanded for reporting that his clients had been tortured. Virtually all defendants were prosecuted on the basis of "statements" given by others who were themselves under indictment or under detention. And many of these defendants had told their families and their visitors of the systematic torture used during interrogations to obtain those "statements." The full texts of former Attorney General Clark and Judge Booths opening testimony to the Refugee Subcommittee are reprinted on pages 2596264 of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD of July 31. 1974. Despite this unrefuted testimony from numerous respected international organizations and knowledgeable individuals. the attitude of the U.S. Government has been one of "business as usual." Despite the passage last fall of my amendment and its signature into law. stating the sense of Congress thatThe President should request the Government of Chile to protect the human rights of all individuals. Chilean and foreign. as provided in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. and other relevant international legal instruments guaranteeing the granting of asylum. safe conduct. and the humane treatment or release of prisoners. There is little evidence of forceful U.S. Government action.