These are people whose only offense is to seek refuge from the terrorism and repression which have become a tragic part of the daily life of their small Central American country. Earlier this month I received reports of incidents in which Salvadoran civilians have been prevented from seeking refuge in neighboring Honduras and have been killed or otherwise mistreated after being turned over to Salvadoran military units. Last May several hundred Salvadoran refugees were reported to have been killed by Salvadoran troops after being expelled from Honduras. Following hearings on September 19 by the Judiciary Committee. I have asked the administration to comment not only on this reported killing but on the overall human tragedy of refugees and displaced persons in Honduras and El Salvador. I have asked the administration to indicate what steps it is taking with these countries and international organizations--particularly the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. the International Committee on the Red Cross. and the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rightsto respond to this situation. The Washington Office on Latin America has prepared a memorandum on this problem. which I have forwarded to the administration with a communique received from the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Copan and reports from Amnesty International. I request that these materials be inserted in the RECORD at the conclusion of my remarks. and I take this opportunity to renew my call upon the Government of El Salvador to end these gross abuses of human rights. Finally. I urge the Government of Honduras to insure that its security forces understand and abide by the Geneva Protocol on Refugees and its obligations to respect fundamental human rights. It is particularly distressing to see the evil of "refoulement" practiced in Latin America. where the tradition of political asylum has been proudly maintained for nearly two centuries. The material referred to in Senator KENNEDYS statement follows:
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