Report From DC Lobbying on International Torture Victims and Survivors Day

I joined dozens of activists from a broad coalition of human rights groups in Washington for training and lobbying in commemoration of International Torture Victims and Survivors Day. The training took place at Georgetown University Law Center on Sunday, June 25th. It included testimony from a Honduran woman who was tortured in the early 1980s in retaliation for aiding Salvadoran refugees.

Despite the incredible problems with the Metro system on Monday, we all headed to Capitol Hill to persuade more Members of Congress to cosponsor legislation against extraordinary renditions. We brought along DVDs of the new Witness documentary Outlawed: Extraordinary Rendition, Torture and Disappearances in the ‘War on Terror’ to leave at each office. I met with staff members at the offices of Congressmen Robert Andrews, Frank LoBiondo, and Chris Smith, as well as people from Senator Menendez’s office. I also had a meeting with Representative Bill Pascrell’s office on Tuesday. I then went around the Cannon, Longworth, and Rayburn buildings to drop off DVDs and other materials to the remaining New Jersey Congressmen who have not already cosponsored the Torture Outsourcing and Prevention Act.

A group of torture survivors also held a twenty four-hour vigil across the street from the Whitehouse in Lafayette Park. Given the incredible downpour, it was hard to stay there for very long. I stopped by to show my support, though, and met three Salvadoran torture survivors and one from Guatemala. As you may know, I wrote my dissertation on human rights in El Salvador and therefore feel a special connection with the region.

Dozens of activists also turned out for district meetings with congressional offices across the country on Monday. Some meetings were delayed, however, and will take place in the coming weeks.

It is too soon to measure our impact. It may be several weeks before staff members are able to tell us whether or not their bosses have decided to support HR 952/S 654 or take other actions to end extraordinary renditions. At the very least, however, we have definitely shown our determination to oppose torture.

I did not get to watch Outlawed until I got back to New Jersey. It is relatively short (27 minutes), but provides some very powerful testimony directly from the few people who have reemerged from “extraordinary renditions.” It would make a great event for your local group or student chapter! You should also suggest that university libraries purchase the documentary and that faculty members use it in class.